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Large Onofrio’s Fountain. Photo by lienyuan lee on Wikimedia

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Large Onofrio Fountain

Dubrovnik is one of the most famous medieval cities in Croatia with several structures built in the Gothic period. One of the notable landmarks in Dubrovnik is the Large Onofrio Fountain.

This circular fountain was built in 1438 as part of a water-supply system that involved moving water from a spring 12 km away. Onofrio della Cava built two fountains, the Large Onofrio Fountain on Poljana Paskoja in front of the St Saviour church and the Small Onofrio Fountain. The Small Onofrio Fountain is located under the Bell tower next to the building of the City guard.

Initially, the Large Onofrio Fountain was adorned with sculptures. The sculptures were heavily damaged in the 1667 earthquake and only sixteen carved masks remain. Drinkable water usually dribbles into a drainage pool of the Onofrio Fountain.

Here are the Top 10 Outstanding Facts about the Large Onofrio Fountain:

1. The Fountain was Built to Supply Water to Dubrovnik

In 1436, the Senate made a ruling on the initiative of constructing an aqueduct system from Sumet to Dubrovnik. By 1438, the water-supply system that involved bringing water from a spring 12 km away was completed.

The fountain’s major function was to supply fresh water to the city due to Dubrovnik’s long, dry summers. After the completion of the fountain, it was subjected to great care so as the supply of fresh water could not be stopped.

2. Construction of the Aqueduct Was Entrusted to Onofrio and Bulbito

The Large Onofrio’s Fountain. Photo by Bracodbk on

After the Senate rule to build the aqueduct and supply a system of clean water to Dubrovnik city, the construction was to be given to renowned builders. The aqueduct construction was entrusted to builders Andreucius Bulbito who was from Tramonte and Onofrio Giordano della Cava.

After the completion of the construction of the aqueduct, Onofrio decided to construct the fountain. The Large Onofrio Fountain was built on Poljana Paskoja Milicevica, in front of the St Saviour church.

3. Large Onofrio Fountain has 16 Sided Container with a Cupola

The architectural design of the large Onofrio Fountain by Onofrio was so magnificent. It is a sixteen-sided container that has a cupola as it was one of the ending points of the aqueduct system.

The sixteen sides of the Onofrio Fountain have a unique maskeron design. A maskeron design is a stone-carved masked face which has the faucet projecting out of the mouth of each design.

4. The Fountain has A Twin Fountain in Luza Square

The Small Onofrio Fountain. Photo by JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD on

The large Onofrio Fountain was not the only project built by Onofrio Giordano della Cava. In the course of building the large Onofrio Fountain, he also constructed its twin fountain in Luza Square.

The Small Onofrio Fountain was built between 1440 and 1442 under the Bell tower next to the building of the City guard. The purpose of the Small Onofrio Fountain was to supply water to the market in the square.

5. Onofrio Fountain was Destroyed Badly by an Earthquake

The Onofrio Fountain was a magnificent architectural design by Onofrio Giordano della Cava. His elegant skills were shown in the fountain but later lost in an earthquake.

Initially, the Large Onofrio Fountain was adorned with several beautiful sculptures. However, in 1667, there was a great earthquake which heavily damaged the Fountain with only 16 carved masks remaining.

After this major earthquake, several precautions had to be taken to avoid further damage to the fountain by other natural disasters. Since 1667, the fountain has managed to maintain its construction face.

6. It was Originally a Celebratory Symbol

The Large Onofrio Fountain had several functions after its construction was completed several years ago. One of the functions of the fountain was to supply drinkable water to the residents.

It was also the finish point of the water aqueduct which was 12 kilometres long. However, there was another function of the Large Onofrio Fountain.

It was originally built as a celebratory symbol and a grand tribute to the feat of engineering which was the establishment of water the supply system to the city. In the present day, the Large Onofrio Fountain is a great tourist attraction site. Several tourists who visit Dubrovnik have to meet at the fountain to take pictures of the medieval structure.

7. The Fountain is Located Near Pile Gate

Pile Gate. Photo by lienyuan lee on  

A great medieval city that still has the wall fortification from the medieval age, Dubrovnik has several top sites that visitors enjoy seeing. The Large Onofrio Fountain is one of the major tourist attraction sites in Dubrovnik.

It is situated at a very strategic point where the tourists can also see other top medieval structures of Dubrovnik city. The large Onofrio Fountain is located next to Pile Gate. Pile Gate is one of the notable landmarks in Dubrovnik which is also a gateway into the fortified city.

8. It Stands In Front of Medieval St Saviour Church

St. Saviour Church. Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Croatia. Photo by Marcin Konsek on

A tour of the Large Onofrio Fountain leads you to see several other medieval monuments including the St Saviour church. The large Onofrio Fountain is located in front of the church which has fine Renaissance architecture.

The church is one of the greatest architectural designs from the Gothic period. It has one nave with a Gothic-cross-ribbed vault. The windows of the church are lateral with typical pointed arches of Gothic design.

It also shows the Renaissance style through the main facade with a three-leaf semi-circular top and apse.

9. The Large Onofrio Fountain has Maskeron Details

One of the major features of the large Onofrio Fountain is the Maskeron details or design. The Fountain has sixteen carved with a cupola.

The unique maskeron design entails stone-carved masked faces. Each of this sixteen maskeron has a faucet which projects water from the mouth.

10. There was a Dragon Statue on Top of the Cupola

The original design of the Large Onofrio Fountain was so amazing with several masterclass features. The cupola of the large Onofrio Fountain was built by Petar Martinov who was from Milan.

Previously, the top of the cupola had a mesmerising dragon statue. However, this statue was damaged in the 1667 earthquake which made it missing and not visible in the present day.