Fontana Dei Leoni Egizi
Fontana Dei Leoni Egizi
3.5
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3.5
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Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,166 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The best way to approach the Capitoline Hill is by walking up the Cordonata Staircase. There is an awful lot to see here, starting with these two ancient Egyptian lions that stand guard, sphinx-like at the bottom of the staircase.
Originally from ancient Egypt, the large, black basalt lions date back to the 3rd or 4th century BC and once decorated the Temple of Isis.
It was a common thing for lions to mark temple entrances in ancient Egypt as both guardians and symbols of power.
It’s an interesting thing to think that this tradition is still common today. Twin lions are often seen at the entrance to formal homes and stately buildings.
The Capitoline lions were converted to fountains in the 1500s. A small but steady jet springs from their open mouths into a large urn. When we saw them recently, the fountains were dry. In fact I barely noticed as the water is not the main feature of the fountains and it is the sleek, black figures of the lions that is the more impressive part.
Originally from ancient Egypt, the large, black basalt lions date back to the 3rd or 4th century BC and once decorated the Temple of Isis.
It was a common thing for lions to mark temple entrances in ancient Egypt as both guardians and symbols of power.
It’s an interesting thing to think that this tradition is still common today. Twin lions are often seen at the entrance to formal homes and stately buildings.
The Capitoline lions were converted to fountains in the 1500s. A small but steady jet springs from their open mouths into a large urn. When we saw them recently, the fountains were dry. In fact I barely noticed as the water is not the main feature of the fountains and it is the sleek, black figures of the lions that is the more impressive part.
Written 21 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China1,74,793 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
These are two lion fountains featuring Egyptian style lions resting no both sides and in front of the Cordonata entrance to Piazza del Campidoglio.
The lions are made of black basalt and were created built as part of the ancient Temple of Isis and Serapis in the first century BC. The ruins of those grounds later became the Church of Santo Stefano del Cacco. It seems the lions remained there until the 14th-century when they were brought here to Capitoline Hill. The two lions were converted into fountains around 1587 when the two chalice basins were added and spouts inserted into the lion monuments.
When seen during our recent March visit to Rome the fountains were not operating. But the lions themselves remain very interesting ancient statues to view.
The lions are made of black basalt and were created built as part of the ancient Temple of Isis and Serapis in the first century BC. The ruins of those grounds later became the Church of Santo Stefano del Cacco. It seems the lions remained there until the 14th-century when they were brought here to Capitoline Hill. The two lions were converted into fountains around 1587 when the two chalice basins were added and spouts inserted into the lion monuments.
When seen during our recent March visit to Rome the fountains were not operating. But the lions themselves remain very interesting ancient statues to view.
Written 27 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Spanish Steps Apartment
Rome, Italy33,958 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
At the foot of the Cordonata (steps leading to the Capitoline Hill) lie two black ancient Egyptian lions. While they add to the attractive and balanced appearance of the Cordonata and the Capitoline, the lions themselves are in need of some restoration, and the fountains of which they are a part were dry as of April 2017.
Written 12 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoCalOregonian
Murrieta, CA10,355 contributions
Apr 2019
These two lions sit at the bottom of the Cordonata. These were placed here in 1562 by Pope Pius IV to decorate the stairs. They are now currently fountains but on the day we visited both were dry.
Written 29 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuperTed19
Madison, WI750 contributions
May 2019
With so many things to see in central Rome, it is easy to miss the smaller details. These lions are a good example of that. Until looking at our pictures while back at home, we did not realize these lions were actually fountains. Who knew?
Written 11 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SoCalOregonian
Murrieta, CA10,355 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The fountain lions are replicas of the black granite originals from the Temple of Isis. These twin fountains are at the foot of the lower balustrade of the Cordonata at Piazza dell’Aracoeli. These lions were placed in 1562 to decorate the cordonata, and adapted into fountains in 1588. Water was not flowing when we visited in April 2018
Written 18 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
The two Egyptian lions fountains stand at the foot of the Campidoglio steps. Thelions date back to the 14th century, but the fountains were built sometime in the 16th century. They are a bit old and they look it, but they still look good for their "age"!
Written 22 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PATO-BETO
San Martin, Argentina19,488 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
At the foot of the cordonata we see two Egyptian lions from whose mouths spring jets of water that fall into large containers. Made of basalt. In 1562, Pope Pius IV donated them to the Roman people to decorate the place. It's always nice to see felines, their features are incredible.
Written 1 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rui_F74
Santo Tirso, Portugal18,083 contributions
Jun 2023
In the lowest part of the Cordonata Capitolina, where the climb to Campidoglio square begins, we can see these two lions in black basalt, lying down side by side.
There were supposed to be two fountains, however there was no water when I passed by, despite there being a spout in each lion's mouth and a container in front and a little below, which would be very interesting if it worked.
It is believed that they were part of the decoration of an Egyptian sanctuary in Rome, from the 17th century. I BC
There were supposed to be two fountains, however there was no water when I passed by, despite there being a spout in each lion's mouth and a container in front and a little below, which would be very interesting if it worked.
It is believed that they were part of the decoration of an Egyptian sanctuary in Rome, from the 17th century. I BC
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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