Fontana delle Tartarughe

On the Piazza Mattei another famous fountain, the fontana delle Tartarughe, can be seen. This fountain is a work of art, of the late Renaissance. It was designed by Landini and built by Moderno in the 16^th, almost the 17^th century.

This fountain was actually built because of love. Mattei, a rich man, who could not handle his money, wanted to marry the daughter of a rich landowner. Her father did not agree because of his post foolishness he lost much money ith gambling. Because of his love for her he decided to show he was not poor, but rich. He ordered one of his men to invite her and her father for dinner and they came. Everything seemed to be normal, but he had planned the start of the fountain. Nobody noticed anything, so the night came, he showed and said: "So, now you can see I am not poor but rich. I only do this because I love her." But it did not work; they did not marry, so there is not always a happy ending.

The fountain, built in one night, was restored once. In 1658, Bernini added the turtles, which the boys have in their hands(in this way the turtles could drink the water in the bowl). The four guys, gently leaning against to the pillare, are in the middle. Before them a big basin in the form of a cockle can be seen. This fountain is said to be the most imposing of rome, probably because of the joy.