Obelisk Fountain

The Obelisk fountain, also known as the Lions fountain, is located in the very middle of Piazza del Popolo in the centre of Rome. You will probably pass from here during your tour of Rome; but in case you come on purpose, the subway stop Flaminio is just a few meters away.

It is a favourite place for tourists because of its location and reputation. In fact, the fountain is surrounded by steps on four sides where people relax while watching the Twin Churches, the Pincio terrace, and the entrance gate of Porta del Popolo.
Even though strictly forbidden, it’s not rare to see tourists climbing the lions to take selfies; we don’t support this action though.

The fountain is of architectural size, and on the four corners of the square staircase there are four circular basins of the same size. Overlooking the water pools stand four lions on stepped pyramids From the mouth of the lions is spouting water in the shape of a fan.
But the main feature of the fountain is the Central Egyptian obelisk reaching 36 meters including basement and cross, originally built during the 13th century BC and brought in Rome in 10 BC. The fountain was designed in 1822 by Giuseppe Valadier, the architect responsible for the whole rearrangement of the square.