Lions of Nectanebo - Vatican City State
Posted by: Metro2
N 41° 54.185 E 012° 27.213
33T E 288781 N 4642151
The Fontana della Pigna has two lions on opposite sides of the elaborate set of sculptures.
Waymark Code: WMJQ66
Location: Vatican City State
Date Posted: 12/16/2013
Views: 9
This sculptured fountain featuring a huge pine cone is located in the Belvedere Courtyard and is accessible to the public by a visit to the Vatican Museum. See (
visit link)
A sign in front of the fountain refers to the lions as the "Lions of Nectanebo" and can be dated to the reign of Pharoah Nectanebo II (360-343 B.C.) and seem to be from Hermolpolis in northern Egypt. The lions were excavated in 1435 and used to be displayed in front of the Pantheon.