Vatican Museums

The Fountain, which takes its name from the large eagle on the top, representing the coat of arms of Pope Paul V Borghese (1605-1621) who commissioned its construction, is one of the most imposing in the Vatican Gardens. It was produced by the Dutch Jan van Santen, Italianized as Giovanni Vasanzio (1550-1621), imitating a natural rock cave. The water cascades from the entrance of the cave to a large basin at the base, as wide as a small lake, embellished with statues of cherubs and marine figures made of marble from the Roman Forum, the work of sculptors Stefano Maderno (c. 1570-1636) and Santino Solari (1576-1646). In the past, all around the large basin of the fountain, water gushed from tiny hidden mechanisms that were activated suddenly, surprising and amusing visitors.