Fonte Gaia
Fonte Gaia
4
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4.0
660 reviews
Excellent
220
Very good
282
Average
137
Poor
9
Terrible
12
Asiyah Noemi K
Pula, Croatia5,332 contributions
Jan 2020
The magnificent Fonte Gaia fountain, designed by Jacopo della Quercia around 1419, adorns the higher part of Piazza del Campo. The fountain is beautiful and further enriches this square. It is always crowded with visitors who enjoy the masterpiece. The fountain is named Fonte Gaia on account of the great celebrations that took place when the inhabitants of Siena saw the water gushing out from the fountain for the first time. Della Quercia drew the inspiration for his design of the fountain from the traditional designs of Medieval Senese public fountains. A large, altar-like rectangular basin is surrounded on three sides by a high parapet. The sides are decorated with reliefs of The Creation of Adam and The Flight from the Garden of Eden. Two female figures adorn the front two columns, traditionally believed to represent Rea Silvia and Acca Larentia, in remembrance of Siena’s legendary associations with Rome. The sculptures are still a clear indication of the originality and power of Jacopo della Quercia, who has managed to capture an extraordinary sense of movement in so few simple lines.
Written 25 March 2020
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.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,162 contributions
June 2019
The Piazza del Campo is the best starting place when visiting Siena and its medieval fountain is one of several impressive sights within the piazza. It’s a large, beautiful fountain pool surrounded by sculpted marble panels and rows of she-wolves spouting water.
Apart from anything else, one can’t help but be drawn to something called the ‘fountain of joy’. It was named in 1346 when the fountain brought water to the main square for the first time and the people of Siena were absolutely overjoyed to have a plentiful and constant supply of water. This wasn't always a common or expected thing in medieval times. In Siena it was especially difficult because the town was a walled citadel built on a hilltop – great for security but not so easy to get a water supply.
To solve the problem, they started building kilometres and kilometres of underground tunnels or ‘bottini’. These were built from the 12th century onwards and channelled rainwater underground into the town. Water flowed through these underground tunnels into cisterns, tanks and fountains dotted throughout the city. They still work today - an incredible engineering feat! I found it fascinating to think that wherever we walked there was a maze of these hidden medieval tunnels under the cobbled streets directly below our feet.
Apart from anything else, one can’t help but be drawn to something called the ‘fountain of joy’. It was named in 1346 when the fountain brought water to the main square for the first time and the people of Siena were absolutely overjoyed to have a plentiful and constant supply of water. This wasn't always a common or expected thing in medieval times. In Siena it was especially difficult because the town was a walled citadel built on a hilltop – great for security but not so easy to get a water supply.
To solve the problem, they started building kilometres and kilometres of underground tunnels or ‘bottini’. These were built from the 12th century onwards and channelled rainwater underground into the town. Water flowed through these underground tunnels into cisterns, tanks and fountains dotted throughout the city. They still work today - an incredible engineering feat! I found it fascinating to think that wherever we walked there was a maze of these hidden medieval tunnels under the cobbled streets directly below our feet.
Written 15 March 2020
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.
tinaNtravel
San Jose, CA2,010 contributions
Oct 2019
This is a pretty fountain in Piazzo Del campo. The fountain isn’t too overall impressive, but the overall area is a must see. As for the fountain itself, it is worth walking over and taking a few pictures.
Written 14 December 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.
Agnieszka P
6 contributions
July 2017
On a not so busy day, with still a few tables available, we were seated by one of the waiters who asked if we are here to eat or just for a drink, then brought us both food and drinks menu. We waited for 10 minutes at least for someone to take our order. Another waiter came who said we can't stay there for just a coffee and in no polite way told us to leave. I am quite shocked at this level of bad service in hospitable Italy, and will recommend everyone to avoid this place.
Written 10 July 2017
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.
Andrew S
Bellingham, WA989 contributions
June 2019
This is more for historic interest rather than something to see. The benefit is that it won't take you out of your way to see because it's in the Campo.
The art on this fountain was one of the real start's of the Renaissance.
The art on this fountain was one of the real start's of the Renaissance.
Written 13 May 2020
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.
William Clark
59 contributions
Sept 2019 • Family
It was empty when we got there, 9am ish. Wasn't bad. By midday, people were there. It's a nice fountain to see, but not really a must see attraction.
Written 14 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.
William M
Chicago, IL278 contributions
Sept 2019
Oh right this is a restaurant review so the food was fine. Our waiter was in good spirits and ready to serve. Beautiful night so the crowds were out in the Piazza. As you head to and from the bathroom check out the horse race photos in the bar. We couldn’t have been more pleased with this “touristy” place.
Written 15 September 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.
Elaine H
Raleigh, NC37 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
We were in the bell tower and looked out from above to see the fountain. The Piazza Campo was huge and depending where you entered you may not see it.
Written 17 July 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.
Heli K
Lappeenranta, Finland1,686 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
Fonte Gaia is situated in Piazza del Campo, so it is easy to spot and visit. It is a copy and what remains of the original by Jacopo della Quercia can now be found at the museum at Santa Maria della Scala. Siena had strong ties with Rome and water spouting wolves are said to be representing the mother wolf of Remus and Romulus. Interesting fact is that the underground pipes brought the water to the site from countryside more than 20 kilometres away.
Written 1 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.
Manuela L
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg6,644 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Pretty fountain on Piazza il Campo, it's a gothic archittecture; in the underground there are sources delivered from an Acquadukt (Bottini) and the water cames from the Chiantiregion to the city, and unfortunately, this is not enough known.
Written 19 March 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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