The legend of Agrippa's Soldiers..
In the 19 BC Agrippa decided to build a long canal to bring water
to Rome; the canal was called "Acqua Vergine" (virgin
water). The legend is said that the soldiers of Agrippa, looking
for water in the country, met a young virgin who showed them the
source of this pure water.
The fountain was created by the architect Salvi
in the 1732 under Pope Clemente XII, who continued work begun
by Bernini about a hundred years before.
The façade of the fountain is highly symbolic.
- The arch of the Palace of Neptune and the statue of Neptune
dominates the scene in the central, Neptune rides in a chariot
drawn by two sea horses and two tritons.
- The niche on the left contains the statue of the Abundance,
above which is a relief depicting Agrippa approving the plans
for the acqueduct.
- The niche on the right contains the statue of the Salubrity,
surmounted by a relief of the Virgin showing the soldiers the
way.
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