Fontana delle Tartarughe - Rome

A few steps away from Largo Argentina, in the small Piazza Mattei, there is one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome, Fontana delle Tartarughe, made around the end of 1500 by sculptor Taddeo Landini.

It draws four young men with lift up arms aimed at supporting four turtles located on the edge of the over standing basin.
The wonderful turtles, sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, were replaced by copies after several theft attempts and three of the four original ones are nowadays kept at Musei Capitolini.

Palazzo Mattei and its famous walled – up window raise on the square.
A story goes that Duke Mattei, to show his love’s father the power of his noble family gave a big party and invited them to the palace.
During that night, the Duke asked for a beautiful fountain to be built just outside his windows and at dawn he showed it to his future father – in – law and his daughter.
He got the girl’s hand and to celebrate that day asked for the window to be walled up, so that anyone could enjoy that view anymore.

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