Beautiful Fountains from Across the World

By Cocles   

To see water as sculpture, that is a fountain. And as with any sculpture, fountains can be a memorial, a tribute, or even exist for their sheer beauty alone. The greatest fountains in the world are sites worth traveling for.

Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

If you’ve ever heard of the 1954 film (and its famous song), “Three Coins in the Fountain”, this is that fountain. The Trevi Fountain marks the terminal point of the modern Acqua Vergine, a revivified ancient aqueduct known back then as the Aqua Virgo.

Fountains of Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada

The most famous fountain in Las Vegas. Located on an 8-9 acre man made lake, the Fountains of Bellagio are choreographed to various music with a show taking place every 15 to 30 minutes. The water for the lake and fountains is provided by a fresh-water well that was originally dug for a golf course that previously sat on the same site.

Versailles, France

The house of the French monarchy from 1682 to 1789. The palace grounds hold dozens of fountains, several of which being among the most famous in the world. The water requirements were so vast in the 18th century that each fountain would only be turned on when the King was near.

Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Italy

A masterpiece of Italian architecture and landscaping, the Villa d’Este’s gardens contain numerous beautiful fountains, some of which even supply water to the gardens themselves. Completed towards the end of the 16th century and extended since then, the Villa d’Este is without question an Italian national treasure.

Buckingham Memorial Fountain, Chicago, Illinois

If you’ve ever watched “Married with Children”, this is the fountain that appears during the opening credits. The fountain was donated by Kate Buckingham in memory of her brother and was dedicated in August, 1927. It runs every day beginning at 8am to 11pm from mid-April through mid-October.

King Fahds Fountain, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The tallest fountain in the world. Reaching 1023ft into the sky this fountain’s water can reach speeds of 233mph. It is named for King Fahd who ruled Saudi Arabia until 2005.

Peterhof, St. Petersburg, Russia

The “Russian Versailles”, Peterhof is a municipal town within the city of St. Petersburg and contains a veritable ensemble of palaces and gardens. The Grand Cascade and Samson Fountain are easily the best known fountains in the area, if not one of the most famous fountains in all of Russia.

Archibald Fountain Australia

Located in Hyde Park, Sidney, the J.F. Archibald Memorial Fountain is widely regarded as the greatest fountain in all of Australia. Unveiled on March 14th, 1932, the fountain’s sculptures feature figures from classical Greek and Roman mythology. The basin is divided into three groups. Apollo represents the arts and serves as a protector while providing light to the world. Diana represents harmony and all good things of the Earth. Theseus, finally, represents sacrifice for the good of humanity. The fountain was funded by J.F. Archibald who specified the designer must be a French artist. Archibald wished for the fountain to rival the greatest fountains in Europe as well commemorate France and Australia’s association during World War I.

Peace Fountain Cathedral of St John the Divine New York City

Located at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in the Morning Heights section of New York City, the Peace Fountain is one of the most beautiful and deeply symbolized fountains within the United States. Its central feature is a statue of the iconic defeat of Lucifer by the Archangel Michael. What truly sets this fountain apart however is its symbolism that, despite being associated with an Episcopal cathedral, traverses freely between secular and church ideals. Animals sculpted throughout the fountain symbolize everything from a crab representing evolution to the lion and the lamb from the words of the prophet Isaiah. Although the water for this fountain is currently inactive, it is nonetheless a must see for any fountain fan visiting the New York City area.

Jet dEau, Geneva, Switzerland

One of the largest fountains in the world. The Jet d’Eau was originally a 19th century safety valve for a hydro power generator. Today, it is much larger and solely exists for aesthetic reasons. Water is jetted into the air up to a height of 459ft.

Fountain of Wealth, Suntec City, Singapore

One of the largest fountains in the world, the Fountain of Wealth was constructed in 1995 and is considered to bring luck to any who visit it as well as to the city itself.

Dubai Fountain, Burj, Dubai

Currently under construction, the Dubai Fountain will be the largest in the world upon completion. At 825ft long it will be 25% larger than the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fountain is scheduled to debut sometime in 2009.

Alhambra, Granada, Spain

One of Spain’s most famous examples of Islamic architecture, Alhambra was a palace and fortress completed during the 14th century for the Moorish Muslim rulers of Granada. Its fountains are some of the most famous in Spain, especially those within the Palacio de Generalife.

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, England

The seat of the Dukes of Devonshire since the mid 16th century, Chatsworth house is surrounded by an immense garden containing a number of England’s greatest fountains.

Mannekin Pis, Brussels, Belgium

One of the most iconic fountains in the world. If you’ve seen a statue of a little boy urinating, then it’s likely based on this one. A number of legends surround the fountain’s inspiration. Two, however, seem to be the most prominent. One involves a young boy somehow saving the city of Brussels by urinating. The other involves a lost boy who was urinating when he was finally found.

Calders Mercury Fountain, Barcelona, Spain

Designed by American artist Alexander Calder, this fountain was commissioned by the Spanish Republican government for the 1937 World Exhibition in Paris. The fountain is a tribute to the tribulations of the mercury miners of Alamaden. The liquid that flows through the fountain is not water, but mercury. It is now at the Fundacio Joan Miro in Barcelona.

Fountains are one of the world’s universal art-forms, and as with any art, much can be learned of a nation’s culture by what they do with their fountains.

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