The Fontana del Mascherone, also called Fonte di San Simeone, is the fountain of Spoleto, located in Piazza Bernardino Campero. It rests on the wall near the church of San Simeone e Giuda before the 13th century. It takes its name from a strange face, slightly human and feline, placed in the center of a large aedicule. It is carved in stone and has laurel trees. Perhaps it represents a pagan deity, with a tragic and mocking aspect, but good at the same time. A huge stream of water gushes from the huge deformed mouth and flows into three consecutive tanks. The aedicule at the top bears the inscription of 1736.
The text solemnly recalls a historical event: the generous intervention of Pope Clement XII regarding the restoration, requested by Monsignor Ludovico Valenti, of the ancient aqueduct of Spoleto, which flowed into the square coming from Cortaccione, crossed the Ponte delle Torri and then branched off and reached manholes and city pipes. Perhaps on that occasion also the restoration of the fountain took place which served as Castellum Aquae, that is, as a distribution point for drinking water.
Photo by Alfredo Santori
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