Big Onofrije's Fountain, Dubrovnik

The Onofrio fountain was constructed in the 15th Century as part of the water supply system. The fountain is named after the 15th Century engineer, Onofrio de la Cava. With its sixteen sided drinking fountain points it served the public drinking water for a number of centuries and even during the Balkans War in the early 1990s.

Very near to Franciscan Monastery on the western side of the old town is Onofrio’s Large Fountain, was build in 1440. In the 1667 earthquake, it lost original functionality, although clear river water still flows from the 16 fountains today. The well is situated 20 km far from this place and the work is outstanding

Entering the old City though the pile gate you will se Onofrios fountain, or whats left of it. Part of the fountain was destroyed in an earthquake in 1667.
There are still 16 masks remaining from wich clean water still runs.

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Now there are two Onofrios fountains; the big one pictured here and the smaller one @ Luza just below the Bell Tower. These were public access points for the medieval aqueductal spring derived water system designed to supply water to ancient Dubrovnik. The spring itself is 12km away and via covered aqueducts and water mills the H2O reaches the town. These are reminiscent of the karez water systems I saw in western China devised by the Uighurs to supply water from the mountain-snowmelt to the dry plains below, except here its an underground spring..probably fed by snowmelt from the surrounding Dalmatian ranges
Around the fountain is a cosy lively piazza, where ballads, cafes and the imposing Franciscan monastery can be found near the city gate. Here to is a great landmark for the beginning of the Stradun and its delights.

The most popular place to meet in Dubrovnik.
It is sometimes difficult to find a free tap around the fountain. All the tourists are washing their hands and faces here. They refresh and drink the water.
It is drinkable and it is said that if someone drinks this water he or she will come back to Dubrovnik in future.
And if someone wants any love dream to come true he or she must drink the water from all the taps. So don't be suprised if you notice some girls running around the fountain and drinking the water... :-)

After entering through Pile Gate this is one of the first monuments you come across. Built in the 15th century but heavily damaged in the 1667 earthquake, the fountain is a great place to sit & relax. 16 carved masks with water jets gushing from their mouths into a drainage pool remain.

The Fountain was built in 1444 by Onofrio de la Cava. It's a drinking fountain with 16 sides and takes it's water from a spring 20 kilometers away. A major accomplichment and the constuction a master piece of it's time.

Big Onofrio Fountain is located inside the Pile Gate. It was built by Onofrio della Cava in 1438. The fountain was built for the purpose of supplying fresh water to the city by pulling in water from the River Dubrovacka. It once had 2 storeys but it was damaged in the earthquake of 1667. There are masked faces on the fountain from which water flows.

Built around 1444, you must be blind to miss the fountain. It is a most welcome relief from the intense heat of Dubrovnik. Use the ice cool water to cool yourself down, so don't forget to take your facecloth with!

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This old fountain is a unique 16-sided domed reservoir built in the memory of the new water works in 1438 - a seven-mile aqueduct system from mountain springs to city fountains. Loved all the detail of the old faces around it for the water spouts too (pic 4).