Rome is blessed with more than 2,500 drinking fountains, known as nasoni, which provide residents and visitors with free fresh water all year round. Why are Rome's drinking fountains called nasoni? The iconic fountains, also known as fontanelle, get their nasoni ("big nose") name from the curved metal spout which pours cool fresh water round the clock.

What is the history of Rome's nasoni fountains? The nasoni were first introduced in the early 1870s when the new capital began providing free water for its citizens. At the peak of their popularity there were around 5,000 nasoni in Rome but this number has dwindled to roughly between 2,500 and 2,800.