Taranto
The Rose of the Winds Fountain, located at the center of Piazza Ebalia in the New Borough of Taranto, is one of the city's most significant monumental works. Designed by architect Brunetti, it was inaugurated on June 4, 1953, during a period of urban expansion in the neighborhood. The fountain owes its name to the eight sculpted heads positioned around the edges of the central circle, each representing one of the eight principal winds that blow over Taranto: Tramontana, Grecale, Levante, Scirocco, Ostro, Libeccio, Ponente, and Maestrale. Featuring twenty-one vertical water jets and a tall central spout, the fountain offers a captivating display, especially in the evening when illuminated by multicolored lights. An inscription in Latin adorns the outer edge of the basin: "Et quidem, cum fortiter adversa vela ventis," which translates to "And even with adverse winds, we will sail courageously," a testament to the city's maritime heritage. Over the years, the fountain experienced periods of neglect but was restored in the 1990s, restoring its original white color and reviving the functionality of its water jets.