Quattro Fontane di Taormina
Quattro Fontane di Taormina
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4.0
272 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
153
Average
42
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Big_Jeff_Leo
St Helens, UK22,606 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
The fountain was built in 1635 by the Municipality of Taormina, and it became popularly known as Quattro Fontane from the four small columns placed on each corner of the monument, each with its own basin and surmounted by a seahorse from whose mouth the water flowed. Today, only one of the four seahorses is still present. There are four names engraved – Vincenzo Spuches, Vincenzo Cacopardo, Geronimo Mena and Cesare Onion. They are the representatives of the Municipality who ordered the construction of the fountain. In the center of the small basin, a pedestal supports a Centauress, with the crown on her head, who holds a scepter in her right hand and a globe with a cross in her left hand. This is a relatively small affair but is nevertheless impressive, and it is propular for local people and tourists to gravitate too.
Written 28 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seeking True Quality
Europe4,836 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This cute baroque fountain on the square in front of the Duomo is from 1635 and has a central structure with a female mythical figure on top of it and four little fountains on each corner in front of the three-stepped pedestal. They are in the shape of mythical water horses.
When we visited it, the water was flowing only from the four water horses, but not exactly spouted out. The two large basins on the central structure could indicate that in the past there was water too.
When we visited it, the water was flowing only from the four water horses, but not exactly spouted out. The two large basins on the central structure could indicate that in the past there was water too.
Written 27 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laczkozsu
Debrecen, Hungary2,431 contributions
Feb 2023
This famous fountain is the symbol of Taormina. It stands in the middle of Piazza Duomo. It was built in Baroque style in 1635. The strange mythological creature at the top is ambiguous: maybe a centaur woman. We enjoyed the stunning view nearby. It’s a must-see sight.
Written 22 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda S
Florence, Italy940 contributions
Oct 2018 • Business
This beautiful fountain that overlooks the pretty square is picture perfect. It is especially beautiful in the evening when it is lit up
Written 20 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilyana86
Bucharest, Romania133 contributions
Sept 2019
It is in the center of Taormina in the Duomo Piazza. Beautiful architecture. It is good for having pictures and as well as meeting point.
Written 19 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rusty Haigh
Southington, CT202 contributions
June 2019 • Friends
I sat and rested at the fountain and watch the people as they walked along the main street. My wife took an opportunity to inspect a few shops while I did my resting.
Written 25 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lois G
Auckland, New Zealand527 contributions
June 2018 • Couples
This pretty fountain stands in the square opposite the Cathedral and is a landmark in the town. Beautiful sculpture.
Written 6 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yolanda O
Corona, CA89 contributions
Sept 2017
Simply a nice place to sit and relax after a day of walking and sightseeing. Don't miss a visit into the church.
Written 19 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KTGP
Adelaide, Australia5,865 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Located in Piazza del Duomo, Quattro Fontane was built from Taormina marble in 1635. Around the base of the fountain are four mythological horses which look like hippokampoi. The centrepiece consists of four cherubs holding a basin, with the second basin being held up by three Tritons, within this basin is a pedestal which a centauress stands, with crown on her head, sceptre in her right hand and globe in the left. The coat of arms for Taormina is also the centauress, with crown, sceptre and orb.
Sit on the steps of the fountain and take a break while looking at the lovely Duomo opposite.
Sit on the steps of the fountain and take a break while looking at the lovely Duomo opposite.
Written 4 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saronic
Zurich, Switzerland29,089 contributions
May 2019
Tourists love to sit on the steps of the circular base of this baroque fountain (early 17th century) on central Piazza del Duomo, facing the towns cathedral. It is also a classical photo stop.
The fountain consists of various elements like two basins on top of each other, the lower one supported by nudes. Around it are four pillars, each one topped by a 'sea-horse', from which water had been spouting (only one does now). They are the reason why the whole construction has the name 'Quattro Fontane' (four fountains).
On top of the whole structure is the town's symbol, the 'Centauressa', which is also depicted in Taormina's coat of arms. It is a mythological figure, but not a real female centaur as known in ancient Greece, where a horse with four legs is combined with a human, usually a man, who also has arms. Only as of late antiquity have there female centaurs been painted or sculpted.
Taormina's 'Centauressa', bearing a crown, has two human arms, holding in the right hand a scepter, in the left a globe. But the animal part is only with two legs instead of four as in the classical centaur and these legs look very strong. So it is interpreted that they represent not the legs of a horse, but of a bull, referring to Monte Tauro on which Tauromenion (Taormina) had once been built by the Greeks - with 'tauros' meaning 'bull' in their language (till today).
The fountain consists of various elements like two basins on top of each other, the lower one supported by nudes. Around it are four pillars, each one topped by a 'sea-horse', from which water had been spouting (only one does now). They are the reason why the whole construction has the name 'Quattro Fontane' (four fountains).
On top of the whole structure is the town's symbol, the 'Centauressa', which is also depicted in Taormina's coat of arms. It is a mythological figure, but not a real female centaur as known in ancient Greece, where a horse with four legs is combined with a human, usually a man, who also has arms. Only as of late antiquity have there female centaurs been painted or sculpted.
Taormina's 'Centauressa', bearing a crown, has two human arms, holding in the right hand a scepter, in the left a globe. But the animal part is only with two legs instead of four as in the classical centaur and these legs look very strong. So it is interpreted that they represent not the legs of a horse, but of a bull, referring to Monte Tauro on which Tauromenion (Taormina) had once been built by the Greeks - with 'tauros' meaning 'bull' in their language (till today).
Written 25 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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