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Fontana della Navicella

Fontana della Navicella is a fountain in front of the church of Santa Maria in Domnica in Rome, Italy, built around a marble and travertine replica of an Ancient Roman sculpture. The sculpture depicts a decorated Roman galley and was copied in 1518–1519 by Andrea Sansovino on commission from Pope Leo X, based on fragments discovered near the church. The origins of the ship sculpture are unclear: some associate it with a chapel dedicated to Isis, protector of mariners, while others believe it was an ex voto from the Castra Peregrina. The ship formed part of the church entrance for years before being incorporated into a fountain in 1931. It has also suffered frequent vandalism.

Fontana della Navicella stone boat sculpture on a pedestal in a fountain basin
The Fontana della Navicella, showing its weathered stone boat sculpture in the fountain basin.
March 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Fontana della Navicella stone boat fountain in a shallow basin beside a street
The Fontana della Navicella fountain in Rome, shown with its boat-shaped sculpture and surrounding basin.
May 2009 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Fontana della Navicella stone boat fountain with water flowing into an oval basin
The Fontana della Navicella stands beside a street, with water spilling into the basin below.
January 2004 © · Public domain
Fontana della Navicella stone boat fountain on a pedestal in a shallow basin, with trees and parked cars in the background.
Fontana della Navicella, showing the weathered stone boat sculpture in its fountain setting.
May 2006 © · Public domain
Fontana della Navicella, a weathered stone boat-shaped fountain in an oval basin surrounded by grass and trees.
The Fontana della Navicella stands in a grassy area beside the street, with vehicles passing nearby under trees.
October 2013 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleFontana della Navicella
TypeFountain; sculptural copy of an ancient ship
English titleFountain of the Small Ship

Creator

CreatorAndrea Sansovino
PatronPope Leo X

Discovery and provenance

Earliest mention1484
Discovery contextThe remains of the ancient model were found near Santa Maria in Domnica in the early 16th century
Original interpretationPossibly an ex voto to Isis, or an ex voto from the Castra Peregrina; the origins are uncertain

Historical context

Ancient contextThe site near the Caelian Hill was associated with sailors and soldiers connected to the Roman fleet and the Velarium of the Colosseum

Materials

MaterialWhite marble and travertine

Physical characteristics

Pedestal decorationMedici coat of arms and a celebratory inscription
Water sourceJet at the center of the deck
Water flowWater falls into the basin and runs along the hull sides
SubjectA decorated Roman galley or small boat
Decorative detailsBoar's head on the prow; sterncastle at the stern
Dimensions of deck detailsThe deck is bordered by a handrail supported by nine brackets alternating with nine hatches
BaseTall rectangular base
FormShip sculpture resting on two supports
Fountain basinOval basin at street level
Basin decorationMosaic of fish and boats made of river stones

Location and ownership

Current locationPiazza della Navicella, Rome, in front of Santa Maria in Domnica, in the rione of Celio
Current orientationProw facing the historic center of Rome
Associated areaPlaced within a rectangular protected area with bulging shorter sides
Original locationIn front of Santa Maria in Domnica, Rome

History and restoration

Original positionInitially installed in front of the church entrance with the prow facing the church portico
Later useFor several centuries it remained a decorative ornament of the small square in front of the basilica
Conversion to fountainConverted into a fountain in 1931 by connection to a secondary branch of the Acqua Felice, with a new pedestal and oval basin
RestorationRestored in 2003–2004
DamageDamaged by vandalism in 2005 and subsequently repaired
Copy date1518–1519
Original functionDecorative sculpture and ex voto
ConditionFrequent vandalism