The Campari Fountain is a monument dedicated to the iconic beverage of Italian aperitivo. Located in Brunate, it is an integral part of the countless architectural beauties offered by the town and, given its uniqueness, certainly deserves a visit.
Campari Fountain: Where It Is and How It Appears
The Campari Fountain is located near Via Roma, one of the main streets of Brunate. Getting there is quite easy, as you just need to take the funicular from Como and reach your destination: the fountain is just over 100 meters from the arrival point.
The first detail that catches the eye at first glance is the peculiar decoration on its bas-relief. The fountain is adorned with numerous grotesque elements, among which three taps are embedded.
On the sides, you can also notice two fluted columns which, originally, were apparently surmounted by a large horizontal block of travertine marble including two sculpted heads depicting Benito Mussolini and Vittorio Emanuele II. However, these sculptures were reportedly removed during the war.
It is still possible to drink from the fountain: the water that flows is indeed fresh and pure, and many tourists often take advantage of it to refresh themselves, especially on hot summer days. In the past, the original source was also exploited, which served to supply water to the buildings in the center of the village, including the Grand Hotel Brunate.
History of the Fountain
The Campari Fountain in Brunate is part of a project conceived by Giuseppe Gronchi, a renowned Florentine sculptor who wanted to pay tribute to the Campari company with his art. The one in Como is not the only fountain created, as there are two others located in Tuscany: one in Le Piastre, in the province of Pistoia; and the second in Chiusi della Verna, in the Arezzo area.
All three Campari fountains were built in 1930. The aim was precisely to promote the brand in rural and naturalistic areas, associating the goodness of the famous red drink with the simplicity of water. The Brunate fountain, moreover, boasts an imposing inscription on its facade, just above the bas-relief: a true tribute to the company that commissioned the construction of the three fountains.
Among all the monuments in Brunate, the Campari Fountain is probably the most original one. Many enthusiasts of the famous beverage visit the town specifically to admire it, indulging in a brief stop to sip some of its fresh water. On the other hand, reaching it is very easy, and if you have the opportunity to stroll in Brunate, a visit to this peculiar monument is almost obligatory.
