Dubrovnik, Croatia: Large Onofrio's Fountain

When entering the biggest gate in the walled city of Dubrovnik, visitors quickly come into an area that features an attractive and large fountain. You'd expect it to become a popular attraction, and it has done exactly that.

Large Onofrio's Fountain is something of a tribute to the city's 15th-century leadership. It set up a system of public water distribution between 1438 and 1440; Onofrio della Cava was the designer. It's called the large fountain because a smaller one, also designed by Onofrio, also exists in the city. This one is the climax of a 7-mile aqueduct, and has 16 sides. 

Happily, the system still works. The water is safe to drink, and people do exactly that as they visit the area. The only difference from the old days is that an earthquake in 1667 did considerable damage to the fountain, and the structure is much more simple that it used to be. But it's still pretty, and still a welcome sight on a hot day. 

This is worth a quick stop.