The fountain consists of 93 stone mascarons and 6 single spouts, from most of which water pours out.
According to the tradition, the spouts would represent the 99 castles that, in the 13th century, took part in the foundation of L'Aquila. The history of the fountain, considered one of the first civic monuments of L'Aquila and a celebration of its autonomous origins, is not easy to interpret. It was probably built according to the project by architect Tancredi from Pentima in 1272, a few years after the second foundation of the town, as witnessed by the plaque situated on the wall in front of the entrance gate.