Fontana delle Tette is one of the most unusual public monuments in Treviso. The fountain is located in the historic center, close to Piazza dei Signori, Calmaggiore, and Calle del Podestà, in one of the most visited areas of the city. The name is usually translated into English as the Fountain of Tits or Fountain of Breasts. The monument depicts a bare-breasted female figure whose breasts release water into a basin. Its appearance is striking, but its historical meaning is linked to civic celebration, Venetian rule, and public ritual. The fountain visible today in the courtyard of Palazzo Zignoli is not the original sixteenth-century sculpture. It is a 1989 reconstruction of the historic fountain, created to bring back into public view one of Treviso’s best-known civic symbols. The authentic sculpture is kept under the portico of Palazzo dei Trecento, one of the most important medieval buildings in Treviso. Short History of Fontana delle Tette Origins Under Venetian Rule The history of Fontana delle Tette begins in 1559, when Treviso was under the control of the Republic of Venice. At that time, the city was governed through Venetian institutions, including the office of the podestà, the official who represented Read more [...]
All Fountains & Wells in Treviso
Treviso’s fountains reflect the city’s close relationship with water, public spaces, and urban memory. Among the most recognizable are the Fontana dei Tre Visi, linked to the city’s name and civic identity, and the Fontana di Piazza San Vito, placed in one of the historic center’s elegant squares near churches and arcades.
The most famous fountain in Treviso is Fontana delle Tette, created in 1559 under podestà Alvise Da Ponte after a severe drought. During the Venetian period, it famously poured red and white wine for public celebrations. Today, a copy stands near Calmaggiore, while the original is preserved for conservation.