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Description
Like many of the city’s fountains, the Fontana dell’Acquario (also called “di Gennaro”) was commissioned by some senators: Stagno d'Alcontres, Ventimiglia, Arena, Del Pozzo, Aquilone and Adornetto. Their names were carved in a plaque destroyed during the earthquake of 1908. After the earthquake, the fountain was guarded at the Regional Museum until 1931, when it was reassembled and positioned in a small square near the crossroad between Corso Cavour and via Tommaso Cannizzaro, in a central place not too different from the first one where it was placed since 1602.
The statue is very simple and it represents the sign of Aquarius in the zodiac. The name “di Gennaro” probably comes from the month (Gennaio–January) in which the sun enters the constellation of Aquarius. Another theory suggests that the name “Gennaro” refers to the gate of Giano (Janus) that opened in the city walls near there.
From the simple octagonal base made of pink marble, a pedestal raises up and ends with a globe decorated by a band with the signs of the zodiac. On the globe, Aquarius is seated with a pitcher in each hand. The simplicity of the work and some references to Michelangelo’s style make the critics think that the unknown author was a pupil of Rinaldo Bonanno, sculptor and architect who was influenced by the Michelangelo’s style. He certainly could not be the author of the fountain because he died in 1590 and the fountain is dated 1606.
The statue is very simple and it represents the sign of Aquarius in the zodiac. The name “di Gennaro” probably comes from the month (Gennaio–January) in which the sun enters the constellation of Aquarius. Another theory suggests that the name “Gennaro” refers to the gate of Giano (Janus) that opened in the city walls near there.
From the simple octagonal base made of pink marble, a pedestal raises up and ends with a globe decorated by a band with the signs of the zodiac. On the globe, Aquarius is seated with a pitcher in each hand. The simplicity of the work and some references to Michelangelo’s style make the critics think that the unknown author was a pupil of Rinaldo Bonanno, sculptor and architect who was influenced by the Michelangelo’s style. He certainly could not be the author of the fountain because he died in 1590 and the fountain is dated 1606.