Hello to all travel enthusiasts and curiosity seekers! 🌍 Today, I want to share with you a unique feature of Rome that often goes unnoticed by tourists but is an essential piece of the city’s history and daily life: the Nasoni.
Public fountains in Rome have ancient roots, going back to the times of the Roman Empire. Water has always been a vital resource for the city, so much so that the ancient Romans built aqueducts, engineering masterpieces, to bring fresh water into the city. However, the Nasoni, as we know them today, are a more modern creation.
The word “Nasone” comes from the Italian for “nose”, due to the curved shape of the tap from which the water flows, reminiscent of a large nose. These taps were introduced in Rome in the 19th century, and their unique design was intended to allow passersby to drink easily by leaning forward, as well as to fill water bottles by blocking the lower end of the “nasone”, which makes the water come out of a small hole on the top.
Water that never stops: Have you ever noticed that water from the Nasoni never ceases to flow? This isn’t wasteful, but a method to keep the water fresh and clean by avoiding stagnation. It’s one of the reasons why Rome’s water tastes so good!
The Pine Cone Fountain: While the Nasoni are simple and unassuming fountains, there’s a prestigious “ancestor” fountain in Rome. It’s the Fontana della Pigna in the Cortile della Pigna at the Vatican Museums, which dates back to Roman times and where water flows from a gigantic bronze pine cone!
The exact number? According to recent estimates, there are over 2,500 Nasoni scattered throughout Rome. This makes the city an oasis for those thirsty during long summer walks.
If you find yourself in Rome, don’t forget to take a moment to stop at one of these Nasoni, savor a sip of Roman history, and perhaps snap a memory photo! 😉