Fontana dei Nettuno

Name: Fontana dei Nettuno

Date: 1622

Artist: Michelangelo Naccherino

Location: Via Medina, Naples, Italy

Approximate Dimensions: unknown

Medium: marble

Sources of info: http://www.napoli.com/english/blog12.php

Picture taken by: Kate Tricarico

Significance of the work:

The Fontana di Nettuno itself was original built in 1622 in honour of Viceroy Enrico Guzman count of Olivares. Over the years, it has been moved over six times, before finally resting along Via Medina where the city council decided that it was least in the way of both festivals and traffic. Historically, In 1629, it was moved up to what is noe Piazza Plebiscito at the command of the viceroy, Alvarez de Toledo. Then, in 1634, it was moved down to the sea at Santa Lucia however at that sight it was in such danger of being exposed to artillery fire that it was moved up to via Medina, near to where it is today. In 1659, it was moved to Calata San Marco, about two blocks from the Via Medina location. In 1700 it was moved back to via Medina to be nearer to the main road leading down to the port. At that time, sea horses and tritons were added to the statue. In 1898 it was moved to Piazza Borsa, however that square is currently the site of construction for the new Naples Metro underground train line, and as a result Neptune was back to via Medina in 2001 where it was first placed in 1640.