Two great steeds held by mighty figures of young men flank the soaring obelisk. They are the ones that gave the name to the hill itself, which commonly is referred to as Monte Cavallo (Horse Hill). The men themselves are ancient twin brothers Castor and Pollux. They were most likely created during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in the image of antique Greek sculptures. In the Vth century these monumental statues were located in Constantine’s complex of baths. There they deteriorated for eleven centuries, until Domenico Fontana at the behest of Pope Sixtus V, placed them in the axis of the city gate (Porta Pia), near the Quirinal Palace (Palazzo del Quirinale). And only in connection with the new form which Pope Pius VI desired to give to this place at the end of the XVIII century, they were moved nearby, somewhat changing their position. From now on they were to serve as the two main pillars of an enormous fountain, of which the central point was an Egyptian obelisk. The obelisk itself was initially located at the entrance to the Mausoleum of Augustus. It is important to add, that this obelisk (known as Quirinale) does not come from Egypt, although it was considered as such. Romans who loved Egyptian obelisks, often created their copies. This was also the case here. In turn the great bowl into which the water flows, was transported from Forum Romanum, where previously it had served as a trough for cattle. In the past it was decorated by a mascaron which today can be seen on the Aventine square Piazza Pietro d’Illiria. It adorns a truly romantic fountain (Fontana del Mascherone di San Sabina).

The statues of the Dioscuri brothers on a grand or even colossal scale can be seen in Rome three times. Perhaps it is worth showing here, the newest of these, created during the times of Benito Mussolini, which can be found in the EUR district, and for which the ones from the fountain had been a direct inspiration.