Who sculpted the Fountain of Ceres at Caserta Palace?

The Fountain of Ceres was created by the talented sculptor Gaetano Salomone between 1783 and 1785. He crafted this magnificent work using Carrara marble and travertine stone, resulting in a harmonious pyramidal composition that remains one of the palace gardens' most notable sculptures.

What mythological figures are depicted in the Fountain of Ceres?

The fountain features Ceres, the goddess of fertility, surrounded by nymphs, cupids, pairs of tritons, and two dolphins playing the buccina. The sides also display male deities representing the two Sicilian rivers Anapo and Arethusa, with Arethusa depicted as the nymph of Diana who was transformed into a spring.

What happened to the Fountain of Ceres during the French occupation?

Originally, Ceres was adorned with ears of corn on her head, and the Nereids held bronze ears of corn as decorative elements. These distinctive corn ornaments were removed during the French occupation, altering the fountain's original appearance from when it was first completed in 1785.

Where exactly is the Fountain of Ceres located?

The Fountain of Ceres is situated in the gardens of the Royal Palace of Caserta, one of Italy's most impressive baroque palaces. The fountain's placement within these formal gardens makes it an essential stop for visitors exploring the palace grounds.

What materials were used to construct the Fountain of Ceres?

The fountain was constructed using two primary materials: Carrara marble and travertine stone, both premium Italian materials that have helped preserve the sculpture's details and beauty for over two centuries. The combination of these materials contributes to the fountain's stunning visual impact and durability.

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Fountains, Squares and Bridges 📍 Caserta, Italy 179 views

Fountain of Ceres

The Fountain, located in the gardens of the royal palace of Caserta, depicts Ceres goddess of fertility of the fields, surrounded by nymphs, cupids, pairs of tritons and two dolphins playing the buccina. The goddess supports the medallion of Trinacria and the sides are represente...

Photo · Fernanda C.

Fountain of Ceres — Caserta, Italy.

Location

Caserta

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Fountains, Squares and Bridges

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About Fountain of Ceres

Fountain of Ceres - Caserta | Secret World Trip Planner

The Fountain, located in the gardens of the royal palace of Caserta, depicts Ceres goddess of fertility of the fields, surrounded by nymphs, cupids, pairs of tritons and two dolphins playing the buccina. The goddess supports the medallion of Trinacria and the sides are represented, in the form of male deities, the two Sicilian rivers Anapo (ancient Alfeo) and Arethusa, the nymph of Diana turned into a source to escape the love of Alfeo, which in turn turned into a river to reach the beloved. Originally Ceres had her head adorned with ears of corn, while the Nereids held bronze ears of corn, which were removed during the French occupation. The splendid sculptural composition, with its harmonious pyramidal shape, is the work of Gaetano Salomone and was realized in Carrara marble and travertine stone between 1783 and 1785.