Piazza Nettuno, Bologna

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Fontana di Nettuno is the centerpiece at the centro storico's (historical center) Piazza di Nettuno. Sculpted by Giambologna in 1566, it is a vivid bronze representation of one of Roman mythology's most artistically portrayed gods. Beneath the water god's feet are four cherubs representing the winds and at the base, four shapely sirens with water flowing from their breasts.

More than just a tourist attraction and an obvious subject for shutter-happy tourists, the fountain is a gathering point for many social and political events in Bologna, long considered one of Italy's most political cities (former PM Prodi hails from the city). At the time of my visit, there was a massive student protest which was well-covered by local and national media.

Piazza Nettuno is the place to hang out. Sit on the steps of what I think is the Municipal Library (wonderful! go inside! see that scary floor!) -- and talk with everyone. Quite an upbeat crowd, no poseurs here, a sort of May 68 atmosphere with a Gothic touch.

A popular meeting point for Bolognesi, specially for students.

In order to make room for this statue and to the square bearing the same name, in 1564 a whole block of houses was pulled down, between d'Accursio Palace and King Enzo Palace.

The statue was designed by Tommaso Laureti, from Palermo. It is adorned the with sculptures by the Flemish artist Jean Boulogne de Douai, called Giambologna.

The fountain of Neptune is situated in square Neptune, in the centre of Bologna near Major square. It was built by Flemish sculptor Jean Boulogne, know as Giambologna, and fused in bronze in the 1563.
The original drawing was work of painter Tommaso Laureti and represent the God of the sea surrounded by little monsters, cupids, shells and sirens. In the 1565 a decree established the demolition of a entire block to make place at the work which today represent one of the meeting place more frequented and important. In the 1603 were put up around it a fence of iron and four tub of marble and one of this that was removed with the others in the 1888, it’s been restore of recent.

It's odd. Great works of art somehow look like great works of art. Well, usually, anyway.
So it is that the Fontana di Nettuno, the famous Neptune fountain from the 16th century (1566 to be precise) was designed by Tommaso Laurent though it's Giambologna's magnificent bronze figures that catch the eye.
There's a certain power about Neptune that dominates the via dell'Indipendenza as it runs into Piazza Maggiore, one of the main focal points of Bologna.

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Adjacent to Palazzo del Podesta on Piazza del Nettuno is Palazzo del Re Enzo, another medieval palace built in the 13th century. It is named after King Enzo, the illegitimate son of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II (he wasn't holy after all!). Papal forces held King Enzo in this palace between 1249-1272. Closed to the public, the only option available to tourists it to take pictures of the palace from the outside, which makes for a fitting background to the Fontana di Nettuno.

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The Palace was officially opened in 1564. it is located between Palazzo Comunale and Palazzo Re Enzo and connected to Piazza Maggiore. Right in front of it, in the square's centre, stands Fontana del Nettuno, one of the most famous works of Art of Bologna

Sitting in the middle of Piazza Nettuno is the famous Neptune fountain. The statue in the middle of the fountain is commonly known in Bologna as the ”Giant“ and it represents Neptune appeasing the rage of the sea. The fountain was designed in 1566 by Tommaso Laureti and is decorated with magnificent bronze figures of dolphins and mermaids by Giambologna.