Fontana Contarini

Fontana Contarini is a fountain in Bergamo, located in Piazza Vecchia, in the ancient part of the city, Città Alta.

SHORT HISTORY

The fountain owes its name to Alvise Contarini, podesta (chief magistrate) of Bergamo on behalf of the Republic of Venice, who gave it to the city in 1780, when he left his post. The intent of the magistrate was both to embellish the central Piazza Vecchia, and to provide the inhabitants with a precious water source.

During 1858, the fountain was subjected to an almost complete renovation, which partially modified its appearance.

In the middle of the Risorgimento (Resurgence) period, precisely in 1885, the fountain was dismantled to make room for the monument of Giuseppe Garibaldi. A few decades later, at the beginning of the 20th century, it was reassembled in its original position, while the monument of the Italian hero was placed in the lower town, Città Bassa.

At the beginning of the 21st century, a privately funded intervention allowed the restoration of the structure, damaged by pollution and atmospheric agents, bringing it back to its initial splendor.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

The fountain is built in Zandobbio marble, and has a main basin with an octagonal base.

The basin is surrounded by ornamental statues arranged in a symmetrical way – two small sphinxes, one looking towards Palazzo della Ragione and the other facing Palazzo Nuovo, each flanked by two small columns, on which zoomorphic elements such as snakes and lions are sculpted.

On each side of the basin, two statues representing a lion, symbol of the Serenissima, which at that time ruled the city, are placed equidistant.

HOW TO GET THERE

Fontana Contarini is located about 2.6 kilometers away from the Bergamo railway station. The closest bus stop is in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, located about 290 meters away, on the bus Line 3. From the same square, you can also take the cableway to Città Bassa.