Located at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, the St. John water fountain is only a small, wall-mounted fountain. This diminutive fountain is actually relative due to the proximity of a giant Egyptian obelisk nearby.
St. John Lateran Fountain
The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of the Church of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. It is the oldest and ranks first among the four major basilicas of Rome, and holds the title of ecumenical mother church of the whole inhabited world among Roman Catholics.
According to Panciroli, the fountain was built in 1607. Panciroli wrote a book known as the Hidden Treasures of the Bountiful City of Rome in 1625 and talked about the fountain located at the foot of the obelisk. His description of the fountain in his book fit the existing one at the basilica of St. John Lateran.
The St. John water fountain was designed as an eagle with wings spread at the top with two large dragons that send water coursing into a double shell. Believed to be a symbolism in reference to the Borghese coat-of-arms and to Paul V, who was Pope from 1605 to 1621, the eagle used to spout water downward into the shell.
A statue of St. John the Baptist was once located above the fountain where St. John was seated and was made of marble, but it has been removed. According to resources, the fountain has suffered so much blows and damage all through these years.
Documents were found pertaining to the plans involved in the creation of the fountain. Someone purchased water from the fountain at St. John Lateran on April 3, 1604. The water fountain itself bears symbols from the Aldobrandini family, the family of Clement VIII.
This little fountain is with a certain amount of controversy attached to it. It is mentioned that Clement VIII granted the Lateran chapter several ounces of Aqua Felice as stated in two different manuscripts from 1594 and 1603 for it was customary at the time for a chapter to create a public fountain in exchange for such a gift. However, the documents pertaining to this undertaking have not been found. In relation, documents to support where the original statue of St. John went have never been found as well.
In spite all these, the water fountain of St. John Lateran remains a tribute to Roman decorative arts.