The Large Onofrio’s Fountain is located just next to the bridge of Pila, in the very center of the city. The citizens of Dubrovnik used to have severe water shortages due to the long and dry summers that the region is characteristic of. They had to bring water in by ship, because wells were just not enough. The Senate decided to bring the water from the Šumet source to the city. The Šumet is located around 12 kilometers from the city, so this undertaking was assigned to famous Italian architect, Onofrio.
When the project of the two fountains, a small and a large fountain, was completed, it supplied the people of Dubrovnik with water all the way until the end of the 19th century, when a modern system managed to bring water to everyone’s home. During the summer, the fountains offer tourists much needed refreshment. Apart from being dear to tourists, the fountain as a favourite meeting and conversation spot, where you can relax in the company of the many pidgeons that Dubrovnik is famous for.
Author of the text:
Ana Lazarević - our correspondent for Dubrovnik
Contact: [email protected]
