Fontana di Borgo Vecchio

Public Art : Fontana di Borgo Vecchio (also known as the Dragon Fountain)

Sculptor :© Carlo Maderno (1556 – January 30, 1629)

Description : There are actually two similar fountains on the corner facing St Peter's .  The two fountains were built between 1605 and 1621 by Carlo Maderno during the papacy of Paolo V Borghese. Both fountains are framed by a gothic facade and include a dragon. One of the fountains includes a  Borghese eagle (which looks more like a chicken) and the other the letters S.P.A .(Sacro Palazzo Apostolico) meaning Holy Apostolic Building.  

Unveiled : 1605 and 1621

Location : The two dragon fountains it can be found on the corner of Borgo Vecchio and Borgo Nuovo near Via Della Conciliazione, Italy.

Background : Seems Pope Paul V Borghese wanted to leave a lasting memory of himself and his family thus many of the fountains and buildings bore his family crest and symbols.

Trivia :

It was Pope Paul V who initiated the restoring of the Aqua Traiana, an ancient Roman Aqueduct which he promptly named after himself,  Acqua Paola. The fountain is fed by Acqua Paola.