“The great Beauty” (“La Grande Bellezza” in italian) directed by Paolo Sorrentino is set in the spaces of the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, also known as Il Fontanone (“The big fountain”).
This is is a monumental fountain located on the Janiculum Hill.
It was built in 1610-12 to mark the end of the Acqua Paola aqueduct, restored by Pope Paul V, and took its name from him.
It was the first major fountain on the left bank of the River Tiber.
The fountain was designed by Giovanni Fontana. They used white marble from the nearby ruins of the Roman Temple of Minerva in the Forum of Nerva, and constructed a massive gateway of five arches for the arrival of the water.
At the top of the fountain are the papal tiara and keys, above the Borghese family coat of arms of an eagle and a dragon, supported by angels. The inscription praises Pope Paul in poetic terms for bringing water to the residents of the district.
It was built to resemble a triumphal arch. A taste of what the top of Janiculum Hill has in store in terms of breathaking views can already be admired from here.
