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The Source of Abundance

Via Ximenes, 58024 Massa Marittima GR, Italia ★★★★☆ 315 views
Paola Cortese
Massa Marittima
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About The Source of Abundance

The Source of Abundance - Massa Marittima | Secret World Trip Planner

The Fonte dell'Abbondanza (Fountain of Abundance) is made up of three pointed arches that precede as many tanks, which once contained water. The structure had two main functions: it was used as the town's main water supply and the upper floor (built in the 15th century) was used as a warehouse for harvesting cereals. But the feature that makes this Fountain unique is the very modern and profane fresco visible on the left facade, called "Tree of Fertility", which has survived to our days thanks to the thin layer of limestone that covered it. It is believed that originally also the other internal walls were painted but unfortunately the restoration works carried out so far have been able to bring to light only traces of frescoes. The peculiarity of the painting lies in the subject represented: a large tree with phallic fruits is the background to what seems to be a public feast, where a group of women in the foreground try to grab the fruits hanging from the branches. The fresco, therefore, should be interpreted as a propitiatory hymn to life. Currently, the tanks are empty, so that the fresco can be preserved in the best possible way, and the upper floor is used as a multipurpose room that hosts exhibitions, conferences and film screenings during the year. In April 2019, during further restoration, a new fresco dating back to the 13th century was brought to light, depicting a woman holding two beasts with chains and warriors protecting the access tunnel of the water table. On the sides we can distinguish, even if incomplete, two figures of animals protecting the burrow: on the right a lion and on the left presumably a bear. A mermaid with two tails dominates the upper lunette.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Tree of Fertility is a unique medieval fresco on the left facade depicting a large tree with phallic fruits and women attempting to gather them during a public feast, representing a propitiatory hymn to life and fertility. This artwork is remarkably well-preserved thanks to a protective layer of limestone that covered it for centuries, making it one of the fountain's most distinctive features.
The Fonte dell'Abbondanza served two main functions: it was the town's primary water supply system with three pointed arches and tanks, and its upper floor (built in the 15th century) functioned as a warehouse for storing harvested cereals. This dual-purpose design made it a crucial civic infrastructure for both water management and food storage.
In April 2019, restoration work uncovered a previously hidden 13th-century fresco featuring a woman controlling two beasts with chains, warriors guarding an access tunnel, and protective animals (a lion on the right and presumably a bear on the left) flanking the entrance. The fresco also displays a striking double-tailed mermaid in the upper lunette, revealing the fountain's rich artistic history.
The tanks remain empty to preserve the precious frescoes, while the upper floor now serves as a multipurpose venue hosting exhibitions, conferences, and film screenings throughout the year. This adaptive use allows visitors to experience the fountain as a cultural space while protecting its invaluable medieval and Renaissance artwork.
While it's believed that the internal walls were once extensively painted, most of these frescoes were lost over time and restoration efforts have only revealed fragmentary traces of the original artwork. The Tree of Fertility on the left exterior facade survived because it was protected by a thin limestone layer, unlike the internal paintings that deteriorated through exposure and weathering.