Rimini's Fontana della Pigna is located in the historic centre next to the statue of Paul V, in the middle of Piazza Cavour. The fountain sculpture is inlaid with Roman bas-reliefs and its marble basins were added in the 15th century.
It was an important source of drinking water until the early 1900s, when the aqueduct was inaugurated. Even today it is still a crucial source for quenching one's thirst in the hot Rimini summers. All passers-by find relief and refreshment by stopping and leaning on its supports while dousing their skin heated by the scorching sun with water.
Since the 19th century, the pine cone has replaced a statue that is now housed in the city's museum and dates back to the mid-16th century. Even Leonardo da Vinci was enchanted by this sculpture, on which are engraved the words "Fassi un'armonia con le diverse cadute d'acqua, come vedesti alla fonte di Rimini, come vedesti addì 8 d'agosto 1502".
In Roman times, the structure was connected to a well, about one kilometre away, by a stone conduit, which over time was replaced by an underground one, passing through Castel Sismondo. The structure of the Fountain of the Pine cone in Rimini consists of two concentric polygonal basins and a drum in the middle, sculpted with Roman bas-reliefs, on which the 'pine cone' is placed.
Tourism Department of the Municipality of Rimini, Piazzale Fellini 3, 47900 Rimini Tel. 0541 704587
Tourist Information Office (IAT) tel. 0541 53399
