This fountain depicts The Porter, a 16th-century resident
who would carry water from the Tiber River to sell on the streets of Rome
during the period before the ancient Roman aqueducts were repaired
The Porter was a so-called "talking statue" like Pasquino:
for centuries Romans have nailed their anonymous criticisms
of popes and politicians (one and the same thing in Rome)
to these statues; as you can see, the practice still goes on!
This very ancient gentleman lives at Palazzo Altemps,
our favorite Roman museum located one block from Piazza Navona
and visited by almost no one
The River Ganges has lived in Piazza Navona since 1651,
when Gianlorenzo Bernini sculpted him for Pope Innocent X
Here are more Roman residents you may meet in your travels
Here Lived Pupone, Free Spirit and Honorable Cat of Trastevere