Exploring
Rimondi Fountain
Rimondi Fountain is an attraction in the centre of the old town of Rethymno, in Titou Petichaki Square which was once in the centre of the Venetian town.
- This Venetian monument that brought cool water from Vrysina to Rethymno in centuries gone by was built in 1626 by the then governor of Rethymno, A. Rimondi. Nowadays you can see it in this area of bustling restaurants and cafes.
- Rimondi Fountain, or the “taps” as the locals call it, consists of three troughs which catches the water flowing from three taps which are shaped like lions’ heads. Three ribbed columns surmounted by Corinthian capitals support a Latin inscription. Above the columns you can see the words “LIBERALITATIS” and “FONTES”. The dome, a part of which is still preserved today, was a later addition made during the Turkish occupation as at that time it was thought that fountains should be covered.
- The pipeline that brought the water to the Rimondi Fountain was uncovered during infrastructure works. It is a jointed stone conduit, which, according to the 17th century Venetian plans, comes from Evligia hill to south of the city where the source for the fountain’s water is.
Legend has it that anyone who drinks water from the Rimondi Fountain will stay young forever…
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