CALAMO FOUNTAIN

The Fontana del Calamo (Calamo Fountain), also known as Fountain of the Thirteen Spouts, was named after the Greek word for “cane”, because it used to be located in marshes.

Its exact construction date is unknown, but we known that in 1426 the fountain was equipped with collection tanks and in 1438 it was used by the guild of wool merchants.

The Fountain features thirteen spouts, twelve covered by bronze masks, which represent satyrs and fauns. The spout in middle is covered by a stone sculpture that represents the Charging Knight, the emblem of Ancona.

Behind the fountain there is a basin once used as watering trough, built on a Roman stone pavement.

The Fountain used to draw water from a large tank hidden behind the wall, filled with water from Mount Conero, which today is empty, and can be visited through a passageway next to the Fountain.

According to tradition, the traveler who wanted to return to the city had to drink from the fountain. In fact, there’s a local saying “if you drink from this spout, you’ll come back here – no doubt”.