This masterpiece of sculptor Bartolomeo Ammannati was commissioned to celebrate the wedding of Francesco I de’ Medici and the Grand Duchess Johanna of Austria. The elaborate bronze and marble statue portrays a towering image of Neptune—Roman god of the sea—with the face of Cosimo I de 'Medici; satyrs and horses frolic around the high central pedestal and basin. Despite sustaining considerable damage over the years, including losing a hand to vandals in 2005, the statue has been painstakingly restored and remains a popular meeting place for both locals and tourists.
A stroll through Piazza della Signoria with a stop at the Fountain of Neptune is a must during Florence tours on foot, Segway, or bike. Most private and small-group tours also include skip-the-line tickets to other top attractions in and near Piazza della Signoria—including the Uffizi, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Accademia.
The Fountain of Neptune is in Piazza della Signoria—in the heart of Florence’s historical center; a short walk from the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and Santa Maria Novella train station.
Piazza della Signoria is particularly hot and crowded with tourists in summer, so visit in spring or fall to enjoy the fountain with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists.
Piazza della Signoria is the most important square in Florence, and was the political heart of the city for centuries. Best known as the site of Palazzo Vecchio—the 14th-century crenelated city hall and museum that was once the seat of the Florentine Republic—the square is also home to Loggia dei Lanzi and a replica of Michelangelo’s David.
