The Garraffo Fountain (

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

: Fontana del Garraffo) is a Baroque fountain of Palermo. It is located in Piazza Marina, down the ancient

Cassaro Cassaro ( Sicilian: ''Càssaru'', in the local dialect: ''Càssuru'') is a town and ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily (Italy). The name is originally from the Arabic word القصر (''al-Qasru'') meaning "the castle." ...

street, now called Via Vittorio Emanuele, within the historic centre of Palermo.

History

The name of the fountain comes from the

Arabic Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C. E.Watson; Walter ...

word "''Gharraf''", meaning the abundance of water. It was sculpted by Gioacchino Vitagliano in 1698, although the design was previously realized by the architect Paolo Amato. The sculpture represents an abundance goddess riding an eagle fighting against a hydra. The significance of the allegorical elements is not clear. The eagle could be a symbol of either Palermo or the Hapsburg Spanish monarchy. The statue was patronized by the Spanish

Praetor Praetor ( , ), also pretor, was the title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to a man acting in one of two official capacities: (i) the commander of an army, and (ii) as an elected '' magistratus'' (magistrate), assigned to discharge vari ...

Andrea Salazar. The location of the Garraffo fountain was in a small piazzetta in the market of the

Vucciria market La Vucciria is an ancient, large market or bazaar area and neighborhood, with shops and tables selling products, produce, and foodstuffs located in the ancient quarter of Castellammare of central Palermo, region of Sicily, Italy. It consists of n ...

, in front of the monument called Genio del Garraffo, and near the church of Sant'Eulalia dei Catalani until 1862, when it was moved to this airy and verdant Piazza Marina. A different fountain of the Garaffo, now referred to as the Fontana del Garraffello, was erected in 1589 (or 1591) in piazzetta del Garaffo, it had been moved from its original sited due to the seepage into a neighboring house.G Di Marzo, page 273.

References

External links

Fontana del Garraffo - ''arte.it''

Garraffo Baroque architecture in Palermo Baroque sculptures Sculptures of goddesses Sculptures of women in Italy Sculptures of eagles Animal sculptures in Italy {{Italy-struct-stub