Ebalia Square - Rose of the Winds Fountain

Piazza Ebalia is one of the most recognizable urban spaces in Taranto, located along Lungomare Vittorio Emanuele III and overlooking the Gulf of Taranto. It serves as a scenic lookout point, a place for walks and gatherings within the city, frequented by residents and visitors due to its proximity to the sea and the city center. The focal point of the square is the Fountain of the Winds, a work created by architect Brunetti with the contribution of the Acquedotto Pugliese and inaugurated in 1953. The fountain celebrates the historical relationship between Taranto, navigation, and the sea: eight heads arranged around the central structure represent the main winds of the Mediterranean — Tramontana, Grecale, Levante, Scirocco, Ostro, Libeccio, Ponente, and Maestrale. The central jet and the jets of water, illuminated in the evening with color-changing effects, make it a particularly evocative visual reference. After a period of neglect, the system was restored and reopened in 1994. On the edge of the basin, there is a Latin phrase that expresses the idea of courageously facing even the contrary winds, a message consistent with the city's maritime tradition. The name of the square refers to Ebalo, a mythological figure linked to Sparta. Ancient Taranto, founded according to tradition by Spartan colonists, was sometimes referred to in Latin culture as Oebalia; therefore, the name retains a reference to the city's Greek and Spartan origins. Today, Piazza Ebalia also serves a social and symbolic function: it is a place for gatherings, walks, and collective celebrations. In particular, fans of Taranto Calcio gather there for promotions and important results, just as the square comes alive during the successes of the Italian national team. Its fountain and the view over the gulf make it one of the defining locations of contemporary Taranto.