I did a post on Italian doors a while back…but something else caught my eye this time around: Fountains. Fountains can be found all over Italy in many different styles and in many different places. Some Italians find the fountain they think has the best tasting water and go back again and again to fill up bottles and jugs. I went to a fountain in the mountains this past trip with my cousins that was about 45 minutes from their home…we passed plenty of fountains on the way that obviously didn’t have the quality drinking water they were looking for.
These fountains however,are the ones that dot cities and towns. Most aren’t used very often anymore but I imagine people would actually come to these fountains for water once. Even though they aren’t used as they once were,there’s a certain beauty to them. Don’t you think?
Feroleto Antico (CZ),Calabria
Feroleto Antico (CZ),Calabria
Pizzo Calabro (VV),Calabria
San Michele (CZ),Calabria
I remember washing my hands and drinking from the fountain above when I was a kid in my father’s hometown of San Michele.
We’re heading back to Italy next week! This gives me incentive to check out and take pictures of fountains. Thanks!
The water coming out of those fountains is usually pretty darn cold and good too. Waiting to see and hear more about the trip.
Joe,these photos make my heart sing. I am imagining their past use and appreciating their current,lived-in beauty.
Actually in the Itri and the surrounding towns of Itri,there are folks whose sole job is to clean and test tnhose fountains. TOw go along together with a special kit of tools like small brass brushes and they clean all the workings of the faucets to be sure they are not corroded and sanitary as possible for an outdooor fountain. One of them wields a notebook where they journal all test results and dates of testing and cleaning! Fascinating because we saw many folks using the fountains to drink! My husband remembers well growing up when the fountains were the main supply of water!
Bonnie(valentinoswife)
The last one is my favourite. I suppose they aren’t used that often anymore because water hygiene and supply has vastly improved since their installation. However,it’s great to hear from Bonnie that they are still kept in shape because I do use them when visiting other villages and towns and don’t fancy going into a cafe.