Fountain of the Four Continents – an allegorical symbol of imperial Trieste

History and description

Located in the heart of Piazza Unità d’Italia, the Fountain of the Four Continents is one of the most representative monuments of 18th‑century Trieste. It was created between 1751 and 1754 by the sculptor Giovanni Battista Mazzoleni from Bergamo, based on a design by architect Giorgio Massari, as a celebration of the city’s growing importance in international trade, following the establishment of the free port by Emperor Charles VI of Habsburg.

The fountain is an allegory of the main continents known at the time—Europe, Asia, Africa, and America—represented by monumental statues with iconic elements, placed around a central base made of Karst stone. At the center of the structure, above a terrestrial globe decorated with a Latin inscription, stands the figure of Winged Fortune, symbolizing divine favor and Trieste’s commercial expansion. At the feet of the main figures, four rivers symbolically flow from the continents, evoking the city’s global connections. Over the centuries, the fountain has undergone several restorations, the most recent in 2008, which revealed the original details of the work, allowing visitors to admire it in its 18th‑century form, perfectly integrated into the monumental setting of the square.

Curiosities

The original statues were sculpted directly in the square, inside a fenced area, under the eyes of the citizens.

Access

The fountain is always visible free of charge, as it is an integral part of the public space of Piazza Unità d’Italia.

How to reach it

The fountain is located in the historic center of Trieste, in Piazza Unità, and is easily reachable on foot from the railway station, by bus (urban lines 8 or 9), by car with nearby parking, or by train from Trieste Centrale station.

A symbol of Trieste’s international openness and mercantile vocation, the Fountain of the Four Continents combines art, history, and imperial vision in one of Italy’s most iconic places.

Photo credits: Tiesse (Wikipedia) - Licensed by public domain