Fountain of the Tortoises - San Francisco, California
Posted by: 
Touchstone
N 37° 47.522 W 122° 24.724
10S E 551764 N 4182903
Located in Huntington Park, this fountain is fashioned after a famous fountain in Rome, Italy
Waymark Code: WM4Y0E
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 10/12/2008
Views: 22
Located in the park just across the street from the massive Grace Cathedral, this fountain was installed in 1954.
A plaque near the fountain reads:
quote:
This magnificent Roman Fountain is located in the center of Huntington Park. The original Fontana delle Tartarughe is still functioning in Piazza Mattei, Rome, Italy. It was designed in 1581 by Giacomo della Porta but owes much of its grace and charm to the bronze figures sculpted by Taddeo Landini. The original fountain featured slender bronze youths riding dolphins and was called, "Fountain of the Dolphins." Pope Alexander VII commissioned Vatican artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini to restore the fountain in 1658-59. As a part of his restoration, Bernini added the struggling tortoises to complete the composition. Thereafter, the fountain became known by its current name.