Fontana del Pozzillo - Monreale

In Via Antonio Veneziano is the fountain of Pozzillo.

She is considered the oldest after that of Ciambra. This is near the birthplace of Antonio Veneziano , one of the greatest poets of the 16th century in Monreale. The fountain "Ru Puzziddu" is perhaps so called because it is below street level.

Built around 1630 as a small pit , it has a domed upper part of limestone and marble. In the lower niche , where one descends by steps , is a small bowl in the shape of a semicircle surmounted by a low marble wall on which are depicted two heads of a child whose mouth is watering.

Above said wall is a tombstone , also in marble. Above the dome is the coat of arms of Torres surrounded by marble decorations.

In the 2020s, the same situation affects this fountain as the many monuments abandoned by neglect that can be found in Monreale. Residents in particular were tired of seeing one of the oldest historic fountains in Monreale reduced to a receptacle for mice, rubbish and bad smells.

Willem Vandenameele