Fountain of Neptune - Bologna, Italy - Philatelic Photographs on Waymarking.com

In 1973, Italy issued a set of three postage stamps featuring famous fountains in different cities. This series of stamps was continued over the next six years. In all, 21 different fountains were featured. Bologna’s monumental Neptune fountain was part of the second set of three issued in 1974.

In 1565, the same year the Spanish were establishing St. Augustine in Florida, the city of Bologna was getting this fountain. It was commissioned by the Church, ostensibly in honor of the election of Pope Pius IV, and because Bologna had no fountain. The larger-than-life statue of Neptune was placed the following year in 1566. Conceived as a public fountain, the people of Bologna immediately put it to use washing their clothes and vegetables. Since this was not its purpose, a fence has surrounded the fountain for the greater part of its existence. Today, after a major restoration to undo 450 years of wear and tear, the fountain is looking good as new.

A popular meeting place, Bologna’s iconic Neptune fountain has become one of the symbols of that city, and this Neptune’s trident has become the symbol of Maserati, the automobile manufacturer located in Bologna.

Stamp Issuing Country: Italy Date of Issue: 9-Nov-1974 Denomination: 40 l Color: multicolored Stamp Type: Single Stamp Relevant Web Site: Not listed

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