Fountain of the Three Vises
The Fountain of the Three Vises (Fontana delle Tre Vise) is a historic medieval fountain in the centre of Treviso, Veneto. One of the city’s oldest surviving public water features, it takes its name from the three carved female heads (vise, meaning faces in the local dialect) that decorate its stone basin, through which water once flowed continuously along the canal network.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic public fountain
- Period
- Medieval, with subsequent restorations
- Style
- Gothic vernacular stonework
- Location
- Treviso, Province of Treviso, Veneto, Italy
- Coordinates
- 45.6674° N, 12.2449° E
Overview
Treviso’s historic centre is threaded by a network of canals and small waterways fed by the Sile and Botteniga rivers, and public fountains were once essential fixtures of daily life. The Fountain of the Three Vises is one of the best-preserved examples of this civic water infrastructure, now serving as a public monument within the pedestrian streets of the old town. Its three carved heads give it an immediately recognisable character among the city’s many minor monuments.
History
Public fountains were established throughout Treviso during the medieval period to supply fresh water to residents and traders. The three female masks that give this fountain its name are typical of the Romanesque and early Gothic decorative vocabulary common to civic stonework in the Veneto. Under Venetian rule, the city’s water infrastructure was periodically maintained and upgraded, and the fountain has survived multiple restorations without losing its essential medieval character. It remains in situ in one of the oldest quarters of the city.
What you see
The fountain consists of a carved stone basin supported by a central pier, with three female heads (vise) positioned around the upper rim, each originally serving as a spout for flowing water. The stonework is worn smooth by centuries of use and retains traces of the original chisel marks. The setting — a narrow lane typical of Treviso’s medieval street fabric — adds to the atmospheric quality of the monument. Surrounding buildings display the characteristic frescoed and porticoed facades of the city.
Cultural significance
The fountain is a rare surviving piece of medieval civic infrastructure that reflects the importance of water management in Treviso’s urban history. The three carved faces are among the most photographed examples of local vernacular stonework, appearing frequently in guides to the city’s lesser-known monuments.
Practical information
- Address
- Fontana delle Tre Vise, Treviso TV, Italy
- Admission
- Free — public monument in an open street
- Hours
- Accessible at all times
Getting there
The fountain is located within the walled historic centre of Treviso, within walking distance of Treviso Centrale railway station (approx. 10 minutes on foot). The city is served by regular regional trains from Venice Santa Lucia (30 min). The historic centre is largely pedestrianised; the nearest car park is at Porta Santi Quaranta.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
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