Description
The Fontana Senatoria is the marble fountain beside Palazzo Zanca, Messina's town hall, in front of the porticoed entrance on Via Consolato del Mare. It was commissioned by the city Senate in the early 17th century, and it still bears the names of those who ordered it.
In the middle of a large round basin, on three steps, rises a pillar supporting a fluted marble bowl, topped by a pine cone. On the outer rim of the basin, relief plaques record the names of the senators who commissioned it, from Franciscus Marullo to Franciscus De Judice.
Before arriving here the fountain moved around the historic center quite a bit. Until 1935 it stood in the square of the Royal Palace, next to the Customs House; in 1937 it was placed beside the town hall in view of Benito Mussolini's visit to the city.
In the middle of a large round basin, on three steps, rises a pillar supporting a fluted marble bowl, topped by a pine cone. On the outer rim of the basin, relief plaques record the names of the senators who commissioned it, from Franciscus Marullo to Franciscus De Judice.
Before arriving here the fountain moved around the historic center quite a bit. Until 1935 it stood in the square of the Royal Palace, next to the Customs House; in 1937 it was placed beside the town hall in view of Benito Mussolini's visit to the city.