Fontana del Gigante

In front of you is a fountain that has travelled more than many Neapolitans. It was carved in the early 17th century by Pietro Bernini, father of the great Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and Michelangelo Naccherino. But it was not made for this spot: it was created for the old Largo di Palazzo, today's Piazza del Plebiscito.

1A vanished giant

Its name refers to nothing you can see on it. Near its original site stood the «Gigante di Palazzo», a colossal statue assembled in 1670 from a bust of Jupiter found at Cumae, with other pieces added. The giant was removed in 1807, but the name stuck to the fountain.

2Four moves

In 1815 the fountain was dismantled because of building work around the palace. In 1882 it was set up beside the Immacolatella building in the port, hence its other name, Fontana dell'Immacolatella. In 1886 it had to be removed to enlarge the port, and in 1889 it ended up in a public park, a location almost nobody liked.

Finally, in 1906, after land had been reclaimed from the sea at Santa Lucia, it was placed here, at the end of Via Partenope, looking out over the bay.

It was restored in 2022. From here begins the most photographed seafront promenade in Naples, with Vesuvius in the background.

3What to look for

• The sea monsters holding up the central basin.
• The caryatids at either end, holding horns of plenty.
• The coats of arms of the city, the viceroys and the king at the top.