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Sprone Fountain — Firenze
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Fountains, Squares and Bridges 📍 Firenze, Italy 272 views

Sprone Fountain

At the corner of Via dello Sprone and Borgo San Jacopo, it was realized by Bernardo Buontalenti at the beginning of the 17th century, probably on the occasion of the passage of the wedding procession of Cosimo II de' Medici, as seems to be confirmed by the coat of arms with the s...

Photo · Eva F.

Sprone Fountain — Firenze, Italy.

Location
Firenze
Type
Fountains, Squares and Bridges
Opening hours
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About Sprone Fountain

Sprone Fountain - Firenze | Secret World Trip Planner

At the corner of Via dello Sprone and Borgo San Jacopo, it was realized by Bernardo Buontalenti at the beginning of the 17th century, probably on the occasion of the passage of the wedding procession of Cosimo II de' Medici, as seems to be confirmed by the coat of arms with the six balls just above the fountain. From the mouth of the mask, a sort of faun, sculpted in marble and placed on the spur of the palace, comes out a jet of water that falls into the first basin, immediately below, also in marble with wide lateral volutes as if it were the shell of a seashell. From here the water overflows like a waterfall into the basin on the ground, made of stone, from where it then flows. In this way men and animals can and could drink and refresh themselves.

Sprone Fountain - Firenze | Secret World Trip Planner
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Frequently Asked Questions

The Sprone Fountain was designed by the renowned Renaissance architect Bernardo Buontalenti at the beginning of the 17th century. It was likely created to commemorate the wedding procession of Cosimo II de' Medici, as evidenced by the Medici coat of arms with six balls displayed above the fountain.
The Sprone Fountain is situated at the corner of Via dello Sprone and Borgo San Jacopo in Florence. It is placed on the spur of a palace, making it a distinctive architectural feature at this intersection in the historic city center.
The fountain features a marble mask of a faun from which water jets out, flowing into an elegant marble basin with wide lateral volutes shaped like a seashell. The water then cascades like a waterfall into a ground-level stone basin, creating a beautiful multi-tiered water feature that combines both artistry and function.
Beyond its artistic value, the Sprone Fountain was designed to serve both people and animals, allowing them to drink and refresh themselves from the flowing water. This dual-purpose design reflects Renaissance thinking about blending beauty with practical community utility.
When visiting, look for the intricate marble faun mask, the decorative shell-like volutes of the upper basin, and the Medici coat of arms featuring six balls above the fountain structure. Take time to observe how the water flows through the three levels and appreciate Buontalenti's masterful integration of sculpture, architecture, and hydraulics.

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