The fountain was built to commemorate the arrival of water via a new aqueduct from Mount Pacciano.
It is constructed from pink and white stone sourced from the nearby Subasio mountain, characteristic of many Umbriac buildings.
The statues on the upper basin include personifications of Perugia, Rome, and the Arts.
The basin is a polygonal structure with 25 sides, matching the 25 relief panels on the lower tier.
The central bronze element was cast by the Perugian goldsmith Rosso Padellaio.
The fountain underwent a significant restoration in the early 2000s to stabilize the marble reliefs affected by environmental erosion.
It served as a functional public water source for centuries before becoming a purely decorative monument.
The reliefs include depictions of the months of the year, providing a visual calendar of medieval agricultural cycles.
The Fontana Maggiore is a 13th-century masterpiece of medieval hydraulic engineering located in the heart of Perugia. Constructed between 1277 and 1278 by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, the fountain celebrates the civil power of the medieval commune. It consists of two concentric marble basins topped by a bronze bowl. The lower basin features 25 relief panels depicting agricultural labor, historical figures, and biblical stories. The upper basin contains 24 statues representing virtues and allegorical characters. It was designed to receive water from the Monte Pacciano aqueduct through a sophisticated gravity-fed system. The fountain sits on a stepped plinth, integrating the architecture of the Piazza IV Novembre. As of June 2026, the fountain remains the central monument of Perugia's historic district.
From the steps of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo for a wide-angle shot of the fountain with the Palazzo dei Priori in the background.
Observe the fountain from the raised terrace near the Cathedral to see the intricate details of the upper tier.
Visit during the early morning to avoid the midday crowds that gather in the main square.
Look closely at the lower basin panels to identify the individual laborers and zodiac signs carved by the Pisano school.
Do not attempt to touch or lean on the marble carvings, as the stone is fragile and protected by a barrier.
