Fountain of the Sea Horses

One of the characteristic fountains of Villa Borghese in Rome

The Fountain of the Sea Horses is one of the characteristic fountains of Villa Borghese in Rome. It is located near the lake, in the heart of the park. The fountain consists of four sea horses, sculpted in marble, that spit water into a large circular basin. This fountain, along with other works of art and architectural structures, contributes to making Villa Borghese one of the most iconic and visited parks in the city of Rome.

The fountain was built in 1791, by order of Marcantonio IV Borghese, to replace the previous Fontana del Mascherone

The fountain was designed by the painter Cristoforo Unterperger and created by the sculptor Vincenzo Pacetti. It was placed in the late eighteenth century in place of the fountain of the Mascherone or of the Vela, destroyed during the renovation of the park.
It seems that the sculptor Pacetti had received from Prince Borghese an ancient cameo to be used as a reference in the design of the fountain. The execution of the individual parts was divided between various artists in particular, the horses are by Luigi Salimei, except for the tails and wings, sculpted by Antonio Isopi who also made the central support. The basin is by Giovanni Antonio Berté.

The Fountain is formed by a circular basin dug into the ground. From the centre of the basin emerge four horses with the body of a fish that with their heads and large fins support a smaller basin.
In the center of this second basin there is a double chalice decorated with acanthus leaves, from which water gushes and then descends in a triple cascade into the large basin. Other jets of water emerge between the horses' legs.