Meta Sudans (Rome)

 fountain, interesting place, ancient ruins

Latin for "sweating meta". The ruins of a large monumental fountain built near the end of the 1st century AD, shortly after the Colosseum. It was on the path followed by Roman Triumphal processions. All that remains today is the excavated foundation. It is believed that the monument stood 17 meters high, and water "sweat" out of it (as opposed to a jet of water). It predates the nearby Arch of Constantine.

In 1936, Mussolini had its remains demolished and paved over to make room for the new traffic circle around the Colosseum. A commemorative plaque was set in the road. Although the above-ground structure is gone, its foundations were later re-excavated, revealing the extensive substructure. After another excavation in 1997-98 the traffic circle was closed and the area became a pedestrian district.