Robba Fountain
{{Infobox artwork
| image_file = Robbafountain.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| title = Robba Fountain
| caption = Copy of the Robba fountain at Town Square. In the background, Ljubljana Cathedral.
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| artist = Francesco Robba
| year = 1743–1751
| type = Sculpture-fountain
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| city = Ljubljana
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| coordinates = {{coord|46|3|0.41|N|14|30|25.12|E|type:landmark_region:SI|display=title}}
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The Robba Fountain ({{langx|sl|Robbov vodnjak}}), since the first half of the 20th century also known as the Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers ({{lang|sl|Vodnjak treh kranjskih rek}}), is the fountain that stands in front of Ljubljana Town Hall at Town Square in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.{{cite web |url=http://www.ng-slo.si/en/default.asp?k=razstava_dogodek&rid=281 |title=The Robba Fountain: The Story of the City's Symbol |first=Marja |last=Lorenčak Kiker |year=2010 |access-date=25 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418171424/http://www.ng-slo.si/en/default.asp?k=razstava_dogodek&rid=281 |archive-date=18 April 2013 }} It was originally made in 1751 by the Italian sculptor Francesco Robba and is one of the city's most recognisable symbols.
History
File:Robba Fountain Original.jpg in Ljubljana]]
The fountain was commissioned to Francesco Robba in 1743, but was unveiled only in 1751. In its creation, Robba was inspired by Bernini's Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) at Piazza Navona during a visit to Rome, but he modelled it after Fontana del Pantheon, the fountain by Filippo Barigioni at Piazza della Rotonda. In 2006, the original fountain was renovated and moved into the National Gallery, whereas at Town Square it has been replaced by a replica.
Description
The fountain consists of three male figures with jugs, which came several years after the fountain's creation to supposedly represent the gods of the three rivers of Carniola: the Ljubljanica, Sava and Krka, and later as well the three territorial units of Carniola: Upper Carniola, Lower Carniola, and Inner Carniola. Steps that lead up to the fountain represent the Carniolan mountains. The water pool has a shape of a shell. In the center of the fountain stands a {{convert|10|m|adj=on}} obelisk.{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.dedi.si/dediscina/275-robbov-vodnjak-v-ljubljani |title=Robbov vodnjak v Ljubljani |trans-title=Robba Fountain in Ljubljana |language=sl|encyclopedia=Enciklopedija naravne in kulturne dediščine na Slovenskem – DEDI [Encyclopedia of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Slovenia] |first1=Simona |last1=Kermavnar |editor1-first=Mateja |editor1-last=Šmid Hribar |editor2-first=Gregor |editor2-last=Golež |editor3-first=Dan |editor3-last=Podjed |editor4-first=Drago |editor4-last=Kladnik |editor5-first=Bojan |editor5-last=Erhartič |editor6-first=Primož |editor6-last=Pavlin |editor7-first=Jerele |editor7-last=Ines |access-date=12 July 2012}} The sculptural part of the fountain is made of Carrara marble, the obelisk is made of the local Lesno Brdo marble and the pool is made of local Podpeč limestone.{{cite news |url=http://www.siol.net/kultura/novice/2013/01/restavrator_ozivljanje_kamnite_podobe.aspx |first=Boris |last=Beja |title=Restavrator: oživljanje kamnite podobe |language=sl |trans-title=The Restoration Specialist: The Resurrection of the Stone Depiction |work=Planet Siol.net |date=27 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130812090920/http://www.siol.net/kultura/novice/2013/01/restavrator_ozivljanje_kamnite_podobe.aspx |archive-date=12 August 2013 }}
Cultural significance
After Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia, the Robba Fountain was portrayed by Rudi Španzel on the 5,000 Slovenian tolar banknote.{{cite web |url=http://www.ukom.gov.si/en/media_relations/background_information/history_national_events/twenty_years_of_national_currency/ |first=Marko |last=Šiška |title=Twenty Years of National Currency |publisher=Government Communication Office, Republic of Slovenia |date=January 2012 |work=Www.ukom.gov.si |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022082941/http://www.ukom.gov.si/en/media_relations/background_information/history_national_events/twenty_years_of_national_currency/ |archive-date=2013-10-22 }} It was in circulation from December 1993 until the introduction of the euro in January 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.bsi.si/bankovci-in-kovanci/opis-bankovcev.asp?MapaId=445 |title=5000 SIT |publisher=Banka Slovenije [Bank of Slovenia] |year=2006 |access-date=25 January 2013}} Since 2001, the fountain has been protected as a cultural monument of national significance.{{cite web |url=http://giskd2s.situla.org/rkd/Opis.asp?Esd=387 |title=387: Ljubljana - Robbov vodnjak |trans-title=387: Ljubljana – The Robba Fountain |work=Register nepremične kulturne dediščine [Registry of Immovable Cultural Heritage] |language=sl |publisher=Ministry of Culture, Republic of Slovenia |access-date=25 January 2013}}
References
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External links
- {{commons category-inline|Robba Fountain}}
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{{Ljubljana}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Ljubljana
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1751
Category:Fountains in Slovenia
Category:Center District, Ljubljana
Category:Cultural monuments of Slovenia