Fontana di Saturno

About

The Fontana di Saturno (sometimes referred to locally as the Fontana del Saturno; English: "Fountain of Saturn") is a historic fountain located in Piazza Saturno in the historic centre of Trapani, Sicily, adjacent to the Church of Sant'Agostino. Originally erected during the 14th century, the fountain was part of the Acquedotto chiaramontano, the first major aqueduct system supplying fresh water to medieval Trapani. The fountain became important in a city that experienced shortages of drinking water.

According to the Trapanese historian Giuseppe Maria Di Ferro, the site originally contained a small basin supplied by a water source known as the Acqua Mageslana, named after the owner of the spring from which the water originated. The supply was eventually abandoned due to the poor taste of the water.

In 1342, the site was redeveloped under the patronage of the noble Chiaramonte family, who financed the construction of the acquedotto chiaramontano. The aqueduct transported fresh drinking water from the south-eastern slopes of Monte San Giuliano (modern Monte Erice ) into the city of Trapani through a combination of underground channels and elevated arches, establishing the fountain as one of the principal public outlets of the system.

The fountain originally consisted of a triple marble basin surmounted by a larger upper bowl from which water flowed continuously into the public square. The Chiaramontes also installed a statue of the Roman god Saturn, traditionally associated in local legend with the mythical foundation of Trapani. The fountain subsequently became known as the Acqua Chiaramonta.

Following the deterioration of the medieval structure and its conduits, the Senate of Trapani financed a major reconstruction of the fountain in 1603 using public treasury funds. The reconstruction repaired the basin and masonry, waterproofed the retaining wall, and added conduits to direct water toward the nearby Serraglio Sant'Agostino for use by animals.

The fountain was part of the historic aqueduct system that brought water from Monte San Giuliano into Trapani. Medieval and early modern conduits transported water from springs and reservoirs on the slopes of the mountain through a network of underground terracotta channels ( catusi ), masonry canals ( embriciato ), arches, troughs and public fountains.

In 1603, a new phase of the aqueduct system brought water from the springs of the contrada Misericordia through a twelve-mile network of conduits and arches entering Trapani near the Porta Austriaca. The system supplied several public fountains throughout the city, including the Fontana di Saturno, the Fonte delle Sirene, and at least five smaller fountains distributed across different districts of Trapani.

The aqueduct crossed the districts of Bonagia and Pizzolungo before entering Trapani near the present-day Via Archi, whose name derives from the arches that once supported sections of the waterworks.

By the late 19th century, the historic Chiaramonte-era system had largely been superseded by newer municipal aqueduct projects, including the Dammusi aqueduct inaugurated in 1890.

Parts of the old aqueduct system still survive on Monte Erice, including restored watering troughs associated with the Fontane Chiaramusta springs. In 2026, the Erice municipality completed a rehabilitation project at the site and inaugurated the memorial piazzetta "Tra cielo e mare" ("Between Sky and Sea").