The Fontana Angelica was commissioned by Turin financier Pietro Bajnotti as a tribute to the city's water infrastructure.
The bronze figures on the fountain are allegorical: Summer and Autumn are represented by two male figures, while Spring and Winter are represented by females.
The square was named to commemorate the Battle of Solferino, a pivotal conflict in the Italian Risorgimento.
The modern office building on the square's perimeter is one of the few examples of rationalist architecture integrated into Turin's historical center.
The square sits atop an underground parking structure that was built while preserving the historical surface layout.
Piazza Solferino is a historical rectangular square in central Turin, notable for the Fontana Angelica, which stands as its centerpiece. Designed by sculptor Giovanni Riva and installed in 1930, the fountain features four bronze allegorical statues representing the seasons. The square is framed by architectural buildings including the 19th-century Palazzo Ceriana Mayneri and the modernist office building designed by Alberto Sartoris. It serves as a connector between the pedestrian-heavy Via Pietro Micca and the surrounding administrative district. The square is currently open to the public and remains a well-maintained urban garden space.
Position yourself at the fountain's edge to capture the water jets framed against the neoclassical facades.
Visit during the early evening when the fountain is illuminated.
Look for the detailed bronze relief work on the fountain's base, which is often overlooked by casual passersby.
The perimeter of the square hosts several cafes with outdoor seating that offer clear views of the fountain.
Do not mistake the modern office architecture for the historical palazzi surrounding the rest of the square.