Fontana del Mascherone
Fontana del Mascherone
4
About
This fountain is unique and a little bit scary: it's in the shape of a grotesque face.
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Fontana del Mascherone and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Ponte
Best nearby
Restaurants
7,388 within 5 kms
Attractions
2,480 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
82 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
37
Average
25
Poor
2
Terrible
0
dapper777
Monaco66,573 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
If we start from Piazza Pallotti, on the left of the street, leaning against the wall, we find the fountain of the Mascherone which forms the backdrop to the opposite via del Mascherone.
The construction of the fountain was carried out under the auspices and with the money of the Farnese family, most likely in the same period as the adaptation of the two basins in Piazza Farnese to fountains, that is in 1626, for public purposes of drinking water to passers-by.
The fountain consists of an ancient rectangular porphyry basin above which a marble complex rises with a large white marble mask in the middle, probably from the Roman age.
It is decorated on both sides by volutes and an architrave with a wrought iron lily in the center, which is the coat of arms of the Farnese family.
The fountain is perfect as a location for photo opportunities and a nice surprise for those who walk along the beautiful Via Giulia.
The construction of the fountain was carried out under the auspices and with the money of the Farnese family, most likely in the same period as the adaptation of the two basins in Piazza Farnese to fountains, that is in 1626, for public purposes of drinking water to passers-by.
The fountain consists of an ancient rectangular porphyry basin above which a marble complex rises with a large white marble mask in the middle, probably from the Roman age.
It is decorated on both sides by volutes and an architrave with a wrought iron lily in the center, which is the coat of arms of the Farnese family.
The fountain is perfect as a location for photo opportunities and a nice surprise for those who walk along the beautiful Via Giulia.
Written 20 October 2020
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.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,011 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
Located on Via Giulia behind the Farnese Palace is this 17th century fountain of the Big Mask. The fountain is attached to the wall and the water flows from the mouth of the mask into a small shell shaped container.
Written 14 December 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.
KTGP
Adelaide, Australia5,865 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Near Giardino Degli Aranci/Garden of Oranges, there is a wall with a marble disc, which forms part of the Fontana del Mascherone di Santa Sabina. The fountain is an antique bath with the disc above, which has a mans face framed by a shell, with the water spouting out the mouth. The disc was created in 1593 by Giacomo della Porta for a fountain in Campo Vaccine, (Roman Forum), where the cattle market was held, it stood near the Temple of Castor and Pollux. In 1816 the fountain was dismantled and the basin was relocated to Piazza del Quirinale, (minus the disc), where it still stands. In 1827 the disc was used to decorate a basin on the bank of the Tiber, just across from San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini. In 1890 this fountain was also demolished and the disc ended up stored in a city depot, until 1936 when it was placed in its current location. It is thought maybe the face depicts Oceanus.
Interesting fountain and worth a look if visiting the Garden of Oranges or Basilica di Santa Sabina, the fountain is located at the entrance of the gardens next to the Basilica.
Interesting fountain and worth a look if visiting the Garden of Oranges or Basilica di Santa Sabina, the fountain is located at the entrance of the gardens next to the Basilica.
Written 24 October 2016
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.
Maggi713
Baltimore, MD12,425 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
The Mask Fountain on the Via Giuilia just off the Tiber River near the Ponte Sisto and just behind the Palazzo Farnese is one of those off-the-beaten path sights you will want to see. This rather bizarre fountain was made in 1626 by combining two ancient sculptures. It was commissioned by the Farnese family. My older brothers used to tease me and tell me that I looked like the fountain. So to my family, we call this the “Margaret Fountain”. It used to upset me; but, now that I am older and wiser, I love it.
Written 12 August 2015
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, Italy34,522 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
The Fontana del Mascherone is an unusual fountain on Via Giulia, near the Farnese Arch. The large and almost scary mask dribbles water from its mouth, which runs into a shell-shaped basin, then into a larger pool. The fountain is topped with a flour de lis, a symbol used by the Farnese family. It's an interesting fountain worth the quick walk if you are visiting Piazza Farnese.
Written 27 October 2013
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
This fountain located along via Giulia, behind Palazzo Farnese, is from the early 1600’s and attributed to Rainaldi. It is constructed of marble and granite and is mounted on a wall with a large basin above which is a smaller basin, which receives the water from the mouth of the mask, which then flows into the larger basin. There is a wrought iron fleur-de-lis atop the fountain and a metal railing and two concrete bollards in front of the fountain.
Written 12 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.
KTGP
Adelaide, Australia5,865 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Fontana del Masherone is located on via Giulia, near Palazzo Farnese. The fountain was designed by Giacomo della Porta, in 1570 for the Farnese Family and it was to run off Acqua Vergine, however, water flow was not powerful enough. It was not until the Acqua Paola aqueduct was established that the fountain was able to function. The fountain was built by architect Girolamo Rainaldi in 1626, (he also created the twin fountains in Piazza Farnese). The fountains consists of a reused sarcophagus from the Roman period and mask from the Roman Forum, topped with a fleur-de-lis, the symbol of the Farnese family. On special occasions the fountain supposedly had wine running rather than water, which was supplied by the Farnese family. One such celebration occurred in 1720, with the election of the new Grand Master of Malta, it is said the fountain poured wine from evening, until 4am the next day.
This fountain has a gentle trickle in a pretty quiet street.
This fountain has a gentle trickle in a pretty quiet street.
Written 6 November 2016
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.
Raintree_Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand4,443 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
This cool fountain at the entrance of the Parco Savello has a fascinating history, But the fountain seems to be ignored and unloved! On recent visit, the bath reservoir was no longer holding water, apparently having sprung a leak. Hope they repair and maintain this little-known and little-appreciated treasure.
Written 24 July 2016
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, Italy34,522 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Near the church of Santa Sabina, and at the entrance to the Orange Garden, is this wonderful fountain of a giant, grotesque mask, which spits water into a giant, ancient Roman basin. Well worth a stop to see it (and you can get a drink from the drinking fountain nearby as well).
Written 16 May 2016
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.
Vladimir Kostadinov
Sofia, Bulgaria98 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
Located on via Giulia, the fountain is on the street with free access. Not the impressive though but nice to check. Located near by Villa Farnesina so if you are already there - check it out.
Written 25 September 2014
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.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing