FOUNTAIN OF THE PIANO

HISTORY END DESCRIPTION

Located in the main square of the ancient district Piano Scarano, the fountain is presented in its original form as when it was built in 1376. This fountain represents the evolution of the spindle shape that is found in the districts of San Faustino and Piazza della Morte. It is set on a round base, situated on top of three steps. It consists of a circular pool decorated with panes separated by smooth columns, and in the center stands a smooth column with a capital of flower motifs and a hexagonal prism. The base of this is decorated with a frieze, and along the sides there are trefoil arches supported by twisted columns with a central representation of the lion. They are surmounted by figures of saints on the trunk of the cone, which supports the last part of the spindle. This fountain replaced the oldest fountain that was destroyed in the rebellion of 1367. During the pontificate of Pope Urban V, while he was in town with his court, a servant of the Cardinal of Carcassonne washed a dog in the basin of the old fountain. This event is said to be a provocation of the rebellion of the people of Piano Scarano, in which the fountain was destroyed. The Pope’s reaction was very harsh after the rebellion. He ordered that the houses of those who lead the rebellion were burned down, and that they were killed. He also requested that the merlons of the walls (these were important for defense during this time) surrounding the neighborhood be destroyed as a punishment for the rebellion.

Fountain of the Piano. Traduzione di Jennifer Dotson, California State University, Chico. Programma USAC presso l’Università degli Studi della Tuscia.

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