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This magnificent Roman Fountain is located in the center of Huntington Park. The original Fontana delle Tartarughe is still functioning in Piazza Mattei, Rome, Italy. It was designed in 1581 by Giacomo della Porta but owes much of its grace and charm to the bronze figures sculpted by Taddeo Landini. The original fountain featured slender bronze youths riding dolphins and was called, "Fountain of the Dolphins." Pope Alexander VII commissioned Vatican artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini to restore the fountain in 1658-59. As a part of his restoration, Bernini added the struggling tortoises to complete the composition. Thereafter, the fountain became known by its current name.
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In the early 1900s, a company in Rome offered exact replicas of the original fountain, and William H. and Ethel Crocker purchased one of the reproductions and had it installed at their estate in Hillsborough, California. The four Croker children donated the fountain to the City of San Francisco in 1954. It was placed in Huntington Park across the street from the site of the original Crocker mansion, now occupied by Grace Cathedral.
Having fallen into disrepair, the Nob Hill Association, led by Huntington Park Committee Chair Dan Finnane, mounted a $500,000 fundraising drive and completely restored the fountain. It was rededicated by Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. on December 2, 2001.
At Holiday time
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