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Fontana dei Delfini in Campagnano: the town's symbol on the main square
The Fountain of the Dolphins is the landmark monument of Campagnano di Roma, standing at the centre of Piazza Cesare Leonelli - the square named after a lawyer from Campagnano killed by the Nazis at the Ardeatine Caves massacre. Built in the late 16th century and attributed to the school of Vignola, the fountain features two travertine dolphins spouting water into a central shell, with two mascherons below. At the top rises a large bell-shaped finial in peperino stone, the emblem of the Municipality since the Middle Ages.
The Chigi restoration
The fountain's current appearance dates to the restoration of 1753, commissioned by Augusto Chigi. The Chigi family had become the lords of Campagnano in 1662, succeeding the Orsini family, and in the 17th and 18th centuries had expanded the town, with the new district known as Borgo Paolino and the monumental Porta Romana. The fountain was - and remains - the social heart of the town.
On the Square
Piazza Leonelli is the natural destination point for those approaching along Corso Vittorio Emanuele from the Porta Romana. The square is also adorned by the Chiesa del Gonfalone (Church of the Gonfalon), with its clock tower dating to 1864. A short walk away stands the Collegiata di San Giovanni Battista (Collegiate Church of St John the Baptist).
The fountain is freely accessible at all times. On the last Sunday of every month, the square hosts the antiques market Le Bancarelle di Campagnano.
