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The fountains of Rome are renowned for their variety and splendor. But this article focuses on a unique structure—the dog fountain (Fontanella del cane).
It is located on a street called Via Veneto and can be easy to miss. That’s because this small fountain is positioned almost at ground level. Its purpose is to provide thirsty four-legged companions with fresh water.
History of Its Creation
The fountain’s history dates back to the mid-20th century. At that time, as now, Via Veneto (Via Veneto) was lined with numerous hotels, restaurants, and cafés. A regular patron of one of these, Bar Gui—also known as ABC—was a gentleman named Charlie. Every day, he would stroll along the street and spend hours at the bar with a drink and a newspaper.
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The man was always accompanied by his two large dogs. It was for them that a waiter at the establishment proposed installing a small fountain at sidewalk level so the animals could drink fresh water without their owner having to leave the bar. The idea was brought to life in 1940.
The fountain, considered the smallest in Rome, features a small niche where water flows down into a basin below. Directly above the niche is a bas-relief depicting a dog (a face with a protruding tongue and front paws), and above it, raised letters spell out “ABC,” a reminder of the bar that once stood there.
Today, the fountain has been restored and is fully functional. Interestingly, the water flows from the Aqua Marcia aqueduct, the longest of the 11 aqueducts of Ancient Rome and still a vital source of water for the city.
The exact address of the dog fountain in Rome: Via Vittorio Veneto, 64