MIT Libraries homeDome

Detail, deer head; The Fontanella dei Libri was constructed in 1927 in travertine stone for the quarter (rione) of S. Eustachio; its logo or symbol is the head of a deer (symbol of Saint Eustace). This is represented in a niche crowned by an arch with the inscription SPQR. Two ancient books placed on shelves are on the sides. Above is the symbol of the Medici family which owned the Palazzo Madama situated in front of the small fountain. The water pours out of two bookmark-shaped taps and from two more taps inserted within circular panels. The books recall the ancient University della Sapienza. In fact the small fountain is placed on the side wall of Palazzo della Sapienza, where today the State Archive resides. The name of the district and its reference number are sculpted at the center of the fountain. However the reference number is mistaken, because Sant’Eustachio corresponds to the VIII (eighth) district, while the number on the fountain is IV (fourth). This is one of a series of fourteen small fountains, designed by architect Pietro Lombardi after winning a national competition for the new fountains of Rome in 1925. The fountain was cleaned in 2014. Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 4/21/2015)