The Farnesiana Fountain, also known as the Margaritiana Fountain, is one of the most elegant and iconic monuments in Leonessa. Situated in the centre of Piazza VII Aprile, this exquisite Renaissance fountain bears witness to the prestigious ties between the town of Rieti and the powerful Farnese family at the height of the Italian Renaissance.

The fountain was created in the mid-16th century from Florentine stone and was built by the master craftsman Nicola De Joanni on behalf of the city’s Priors, as part of a major urban renewal project launched following the visit of Margaret of Austria, wife of Ottavio Farnese. The work, completed around 1552, soon became one of the town’s symbols.

The structure is distinguished by its harmonious octagonal plan and the balance of its Renaissance decorations. The large basin rests on three steps and features four sides adorned with coats of arms carved in relief, framed by elegant ribbon-like motifs. Among the coats of arms still legible, that of the Municipality of Leonessa stands out.

At the centre of the basin stands an elegant octagonal balustrade, decorated alternately with dolphins and sculpted masks – elements typical of Mannerist ornamentation. The upper section culminates in a pyramidal structure supported by three winged female figures who hold up a central sphere, creating a spectacular ensemble of great elegance. The water spouts are situated within the masks, the winged figures and the summit sphere, contributing to the fountain’s monumental effect.

The Farnesiana Fountain remains to this day the visual centrepiece of Leonessa’s main square and one of the most interesting examples of Renaissance street furniture in the Lazio Apennines. For centuries, the village’s social life has revolved around it, with markets, gatherings and popular celebrations.

Not far away is the historic Fonte della Ripa, an ancient 12th-century medieval fountain characterised by an elegant round arch, a testament to the town’s long tradition of water management.

With its refined architecture and historical significance, the Farnesiana Fountain continues to bear witness to the artistic and cultural prestige of Renaissance-era Leonessa.

Foto di Lamberto Zannotti