Cool Off with Rome’s Nasoni Fountains

Nothing beats a refreshing sip of water when the city heat becomes unbearable. You can quickly cool off in Rome by drinking from the Nasoni fountains, which have a distinctive cylindrical shape. Locals lovingly call them “nasoni” (big noses), and you can spot them in many squares and streets throughout the city.

The Origins and the Evolution

 

These fountains first appeared in 1874, an idea from Mayor Luigi Pianciani and Councilor Rinazzi. Their goal was to provide free drinking water to the city and suburbs while relieving water pressure. The original fountains, made of cast iron, stood about 120 cm tall, weighed around 100 kilos, and had three dragon-shaped nozzles. The water flowed into the sewer through a grate at street level.
Over time, however, the design of the Nasoni fountains changed. A single smooth spout eventually replaced the original three dragon-shaped spouts, which gave them their nickname “nasone.” You can still find a few of the old dragon-spout versions in locations like Piazza della Rotonda, Via di San Teodoro, and Via delle Tre Cannelle. However, they have modified many of the original versions.

Nasoni fountain in Rome

The Imperial She-Wolf Fountains

In addition to the classic Nasoni, the travertine fountains are also known as “della Lupa imperiale” (Imperial She-wolf fountains).
These fountains, dating back to the 1920s and 1930s, feature water flowing from a brass she-wolf’s head. Remarkably, around 70 of these fountains are still operating today, primarily found in Roman parks and the Olympic Village. A neat trick with these fountains is the small hole on top of the spout—if you block the central opening, the water sprays upwards, making it easier to drink.
Today, almost 2,500 Nasoni fountains are scattered throughout Rome, all providing freshcool water thanks to their constant flow. Acea has been delivering the same high-quality water to Roman homes for over 100 years.

Nasoni fountains in Rome

Nasoni Fountains in the City Center

In the historic center of Rome, you’ll find more than 200 Nasoni fountains, along with around 90 other drinking and artistic fountains. Some of the most famous include the Fountain of the Barcaccia by Pietro and Gian Lorenzo Bernini in Piazza di Spagna and the fountain set into the Via della Fontanella di Borghese wall.

Nasoni fountains in Rome

How to easily locate them? 

The Waidy Wow App makes it easy to locate these iconic fountains. Select “Rome” to find a nearby Nasoni fountain and grab a refreshing drink during sightseeing or shopping.