Skip menu

Fountain of Neptune

Overview

One of the city's most famous monuments

Commissioned in 1563 by Pope Pius IV, it was built by the architect Tommaso Laureti. The sculptor Giambologna created the bronze statue of the god of the sea, which stands at 3.40 meters tall leading to its nickname of The Giant by the people of Bologna.

It is located in Piazza del Nettuno, adjacent to Piazza Maggiore, in the city center.

It is a symmetrical structure, with a vertical look to the whole piece with different groups of figures (dolphins, mermaids, cherubs, coats of arms) surrounding the main figure of Neptune. Spring water gushes from the 38 nozzles incorporated into the bronze figures, a precious asset immediately used by the people of Bologna for their needs.

It is also famous because the architect designed the work with perfect proportions to make sure that when you look at the statue from a particular angle the thumb of the left hand alludes to an erect phallus coinciding with the lower abdomen.

Today it is one of Bologna’s iconic monuments and symbolizes its traditions. It seems to bring students good luck if they go around the fountain twice before each exam.

Reviews
Reviews
()
Ordina per
Fountain of Neptune

Piazza del Nettuno, 40124 Bologna BO, Italy

Related articles

UNESCO
The Porticoes of Bologna: a stroll through history

The Porticoes of Bologna: a stroll through history

Cultural cities
Piazza Maggiore and  Basilica of San Petronio - Bologna, Emilia-Romagna

Bologna: young, cultured and welcoming

Nature
Landscapes of Emilia Romagna

Landscapes of Emilia Romagna

Leisure
motor valley

Pure adrenaline amid history and passion in Motor Valley

Cultural cities
Modena: city of art, land of motors and taste

Modena: city of art, land of motors and taste

Art and culture
Emilia Romagna: the talking statues of Parma

Emilia Romagna: the talking statues of Parma

Food and wine
Emilia-Romagna, where gastronomy is an empire of the senses

Emilia-Romagna, where gastronomy is an empire of the senses

Nature
Cimone

6 steps among the secrets of Bolognese nature

City
2 days in Bologna: the itinerary

2 days in Bologna: the itinerary

Art and culture
Bologna: Videogame Art Museum, a computer geek’s paradise

Bologna: Videogame Art Museum, a computer geek’s paradise

Art and culture
rocchetta mattei bologna

Rocchetta Mattei in Bologna, an architectural jewel to be admired

Cultural cities
Travelling to Ferrara: precious time walking through history

Travelling to Ferrara: precious time walking through history

Region
Emilia Romagna, where hospitality, entertainment and good food will seduce you

Emilia Romagna, where hospitality, entertainment and good food will seduce you

Art and culture
Musei Ferrari: from Modena to Maranello, on the road with the "reds"

Musei Ferrari: from Modena to Maranello, on the road with the "reds"

Cycling tourism
Emilia Romagna cycling between art and culture

Emilia Romagna cycling between art and culture

UNESCO
Ravenna with its early Christian monuments, a perfect mix of art, culture and entertainment

Ravenna with its early Christian monuments, a perfect mix of art, culture and entertainment

UNESCO
Artistic masterpieces and gastronomic marvels in Modena

Artistic masterpieces and gastronomic marvels in Modena

Food and wine
Parma Food Museums

Parma Food Museums

Art and culture
trips outside of Bologna not to be missed

5 trips outside of Bologna not to be missed while on Erasmus

Food and wine
Bologna's Mortadella

Bologna's Mortadella

Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.