The Adam and Eve Fountains

At the sides of the Sea Canal, in the depth of the park, are two similarly decorated fountains. The crossing of the park avenues forms a kind of opening with eight walks diverging from it. These two large etoiles are major elements in the initial layout of the Low-er Park, and it is not by chance that two of the ear-liest fountains, Adam in the eastern section and Eve in the western section, have been placed there. The sculptures which adorn the fountains are free copies from Antonio Rizzi's famous works decorating the Doge's Palace in Venice. The copies were commis-sioned from Giovanni Bonazza in 1717 and installed in octagonal pools encircled by 16 jets spurting upwards. In the course of more than 250 years the Adam and Eve Fountains had no important alterations and are now the only ones to preserve intact the authentic architectural decor of the Petrine era.