The fountain marks the end of the Virgin aqueduct, one of the most famous Roman aqueducts first built in the times of Emperor Augustus and still used today.

Construction of the fountain that we can admire today started in 1732 on a base made in 1640 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It was commissioned by Pope Clemente XII.

The theme of the whole composition is the sea. The scenery is dominated by rocks which cover the entire lower area of the fountain. The enormous statue of Ocean stands at the centre, under a big niche delimited by some columns which make it stand out as though it were a triumphal arch. Ocean is guiding a shell shaped carriage pulled by two winged horses which are in turn guided by a couple of tritons.