The powerful figure of Neptune, a common feature in Italian fountains, stands above tiered basins brandishing his signature trident to ward off the sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis (which represent a pair of particularly treacherous rocks near Messina’s harbor). The statue of Neptune and the sea creatures are replicas; the originals are housed in the city’s Interdisciplinary Regional Museum.
Many walking and Segway city tours of Messina include a stop at the fountain and the regional museum to view the fountain’s original statues; these tours often include other highlights, such as the Church of the Santissima Annunziata dei Catalan, Duomo, and bell tower and astronomical clock.
Located in the historic center of Messina near the coastline, the fountain can easily be reached on foot from the train station or cruise and ferry port.
Messina can be uncomfortably hot at midday, so stop by this outdoor fountain in the early morning or late afternoon before temperatures soar. The fountain is dramatically lit at night and makes for a striking photograph against the backdrop of the elegant facade of Messina’s Prefecture.
The Fountain of Neptune was originally located near Messina’s harbor, and Montorsoli designed the Neptune figure to face the city with his hand reaching out in a gesture of protection. The fountain was moved to its current location in 1934 and rotated so that Neptune’s arm now reaches toward the sea.