Fontanella

Fontanella is an Italian noun that designates a small fountain or water trough. It derives from fontana, fountain, with the diminutive suffix -ella, indicating a miniature or secondary feature. In common use, fontanella can refer to a street or courtyard fountain, a garden ornament, or a basin fed by a nearby spring.

Architecturally, fontanelle are typically modest, built of stone or marble, and may feature a simple spout and basin. They served practical purposes in towns and rural areas, providing drinking water or a place to wash hands, and they are often encountered in historic centers and villas.

Fontanella is also a place name in Italy. The town of Fontanella is a comune in the Lombardy region, in the province of Bergamo. The toponym appears in other localities as well, reflecting the historical importance of water sources in the landscape.

As a surname, Fontanella is of Italian origin and is borne by individuals and families in various regions.

Related terms include fontana (fountain) and fontanile (a spring or natural water source).