Piazza Barberini, A Baroque Masterpiece of Fountains and Sculptures
Sallustiano
3.8
Introduction
There is a square in the center of Rome that was built in the 16th century and is home to the famous Fontana del Tritone. Hidden in a corner of the square is a treasure known as the Fontana delle Api, located at the intersection of Piazza Barberini and Via Vittorio Veneto. This fountain, completed by Bernini in 1644, cleverly incorporates the symbol of the Barberini family, a bee. It features a marble shell upon which three bees of the same material rest. Originally built for watering horses, it now serves the citizens of the city. The inscription on the shell reads "Urban VIII, in the 21st year of his papacy, built a fountain for the public ornamentation of this city and established this little fountain to serve the people. 1644." Easily overlooked due to its location in a corner of the square, it is definitely worth taking the time to find. Transportation Take metro line A and get off at Barberini station. Walk north along Via Veneto for 3 minutes until you reach the intersection with Via di San Basilio.
Bee fountain includes a marble shell
