PONZIO, Flaminio
(b. 1559, Viggiu, d. 1613, Roma)

Exterior view

1610-14
Photo
Acqua Paola, Rome

Pope Paul V ordered the extension of the Roman water supply to Trastevere and commissioned the court architect Flaminio Ponzio to design a fountainhead. The idea of a fountain within a building which opens onto the street like a stage set is particularly interesting. It expressed Paul's preference for decorating streets and squares with fountains on a large scale.