The Large Onofrio Fountain, on Stradun near Pile Gate, is a historic circular fountain and one of Dubrovnik’s most famous landmarks. For centuries, the ornate fountain has supplied water to the citizens of Dubrovnik and remains a testament to the city’s architectural and engineering skills.
Italian architect Onofrio della Cava designed and built the fountain between 1438 and 1440. He also created the Small Onofrio Fountain on the opposite side of Stradun.
The fountain was part of the city’s water supply system. In 1436, the government issued a rule to construct an aqueduct. The system used gravity to bring water from the Rijeka Dubrovačka in Šumet, 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) away, to the city. The aqueduct brought water directly to the city, culminating at the Large Onofrio Fountain.
For nearly 600 years, locals used the fountain as their primary water source. At the end of the 19th century, the city installed a modern water supply system. Today, the fountain continues to supply clean drinking water to passersby.
Though built to supply water, the sixteen-sided fountain is also known for its artistic design, which features a large, circular basin and a central dome.
Initially, the fountain featured various statues, but all were lost or damaged over time, including during the 1667 Dubrovnik earthquake. In 2016, officials reinstalled a replica of a dog statue on the fountain.
Ornate maskeroni adorn the fountain’s sixteen sides. These unique stone-carved masked faces serve as water spouts, supplying fresh water.
Despite suffering damage during the earthquake, the fountain remains integral to Dubrovnik’s history and engineering prowess. While the fountain no longer serves as the primary water source, it maintains its historical function by providing locals and tourists with clean, cold, and refreshing water.