Fonte di San Rocco

## Overview Fonte di San Rocco is a public drinking spring located in the Ligurian region of Italy, nestled in the hills near the coast at coordinates 44.314874, 9.891512. Named after San Rocco (Saint Roch), the patron saint of the sick and of pilgrims — a figure deeply venerated across Italian villages — this fountain likely carries a long tradition of serving travelers and locals alike. Throughout Italy, springs bearing the name of San Rocco are often found along historic pilgrimage routes or near chapels dedicated to the saint, reflecting centuries of communal use. The GPS coordinates place this spring in the province of La Spezia, in the eastern Ligurian hills not far from the famous Cinque Terre coastline. Visitors have reported that the water tastes delicious, suggesting a clean, mineral-rich source fed by the region's limestone and sandstone geology. The Ligurian Apennines are known for producing naturally filtered spring water as rainfall percolates through layers of sedimentary rock before emerging at the surface. ## Directions 1. Using GPS, navigate to coordinates **44.314874, 9.891512**, which will bring you to the area of the spring in the hills of eastern Liguria, in the province of La Spezia. 2. The spring is accessible along local roads in the area. Look for a traditional stone or metal fountain — Italian public drinking springs ("fontane") are typically marked with a spout or tap set into a wall or freestanding stone structure. 3. Parking may be limited to roadside pull-offs, as is common in small Ligurian hill towns. *Note: These directions are based on GPS coordinates only. If you have visited this spring and can provide more detailed route information, your contribution would be greatly appreciated.* ## What to Expect Fonte di San Rocco is a traditional Italian public drinking spring — the kind of communal fountain that has been a cornerstone of village life in Italy for generations. Expect a simple but charming setup: most "fonti" in this region feature a stone basin with a continuously flowing spout, often set against a wall or embedded in a hillside. The surrounding landscape is quintessential eastern Liguria — terraced hillsides with olive groves, chestnut woods, and Mediterranean scrub, with possible views toward the Ligurian Sea. The area is popular with hikers exploring the network of trails that crisscross the hills above the coast, and this spring may serve as a welcome refreshment stop along the way. Visitors have described the water as tasting delicious, and the spring has historically been used as a public drinking water source. As with any natural spring, water conditions can vary with season and weather, and the spring may flow more vigorously during the wetter months of autumn and spring. The region around La Spezia offers plenty to explore beyond the spring itself, including the Cinque Terre National Park, the Gulf of Poets, and numerous medieval hilltop villages — making Fonte di San Rocco a rewarding stop as part of a broader Ligurian adventure.