The Carciofo fountain was erected in the 1950s when Piazza Municipio, and Piazza Trieste and Trento were refurbished. Its better-known nickname ‘Artichoke Fountain’ was coined at the time it was erected at the behest of Major Achille Lauro, and derives from the shape of the top of the metal sculpture from which the main jet of water gushes. Major Achille Lauro was a shipping magnate and millionaire, and a well-respected mayor of Naples in the 1950s. He also owned the Naples football team and was responsible for building many of Naples’ fountains.
