Fontana delle Sfingi
Viale Adolfo Leducq, 00153 Roma RM
Rating: 5.0 ★ (5 ratings)
Details
Thanks to a restoration project, we can now admire in all its splendor the Fountain of the Sphinxes, dating back to the first quarter of the 18th century, right in front of the former Casino Barberini, in the heart of the Villa. It consists of a large ovoid masonry basin with travertine edges. At its center is a fake rock with an eagle holding a small basin from which a jet of water spouts. Inside the basin are four crouching, outward-facing sandstone sphinxes. The Fountain is also known as the Fountain of Human Passions or the Fountain of Vices, as each of the mythological figures with a woman's face and a lion's body embodies a human weakness: Anger, with her forepaw on a skull; Lust, resting on a carpet of flowers; Avarice, with a cornucopia overflowing with coins; and Gluttony, from whose horn of plenty sprouts tasty fruits. As if that weren't enough, there's a legend tied to this fountain, which says that anyone afflicted by one of these four vices could be freed from it by following a special ritual. This involved sitting near one of the sphinxes and, placing a hand on it, reciting a curious formula, which I'll share here: "Lady of the full moon, free me from my pain." And he
The Fountain of the Sphinxes is located in Rione XIII (Trastevere), on Viale Adolfo Leducq, in the historic Villa Sciarra in Rome.
The backdrop is the evocative Casina Borghese, which is currently the headquarters of the Italian Institute of Germanic Studies.
NEWS FOR 2025: RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT:
I am pleased to update the story of this place, which I have posted and reviewed several times since 2021.
In 2025, the fountain underwent a major restoration project, part of the "Caput Mundi – PNRR" project promoted by Roma Capitale.
The works included:
• Cleaning of the surfaces and removal of limescale deposits
• Restoration of the missing parts of the sculptural group
• Waterproofing of the basin to ensure its functionality
HISTORY BRIEF:
The fountain likely dates back to the first half of the 18th century.
The history of this site is much older; in fact, the Villa stands where Caesar's Gardens once stood.
The "Fountain of the Sphinxes," like others here, is a composition that has been completely reconstructed here, with particular attention to the four sculpted sandstone sphinxes.
ARCHITECTURE:
The work consists of a large oval masonry basin, with a flat travertine edge, set at ground level and over 6 meters in diameter.
At the center is a small baluster, supporting a basin from which water gushes out and pours into the basin below.
Starting from the baluster, four mythological figures representing sphinxes (over 1 meter tall) are arranged: the head of a young woman with long, wavy hair and a bare chest, a crouching leonine body, and a serpent's tail.
The Sphinxes stand on a base with their heads facing outward, arranged in an X, allegorically representing the four deadly sins:
• Anger, whose left forepaw rests on a human skull.
• Lust, resting on a large bouquet of flowers.
• Greed, resting on a cornucopia filled with precious coins.
• Gluttony (gluttony), whose large horn produces many fruits, one of which she raises to her mouth with her right paw.
FUN FACT: DID YOU KNOW THAT...?
Villa Sciarra extends over approximately 7 hectares and features:
• Palm trees, cedars, cypresses, and laurels
• Well-manicured hedges
• Artistic fountains and mythological statues
An oasis of peace and beauty, perfect for a cultural stroll.
A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
I'm attaching the photos of this restored fountain, which is much more than just a piece of street furniture, to this review, adding them to the previous ones, because photos speak louder than words.
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE DETAILS OF ROME:
If you're looking for a place where art, myth, and nature complement each other in harmony, Villa Sciarra and the "Fountain of the Sphinxes" are a good choice.
If this story has piqued your curiosity or excitement, I invite you to discover my other reviews.