The Fountain of the Naiads has its background in a desire to display water from Rome's Acqua Pia Antica Marcia, built as a restoration of the ancient Aqua Marcia and commissioned by Pope Pius IX, and was made to create something monumental for the Via Nazionale.
The Fountain of the Naiads was conceived as a way to showcase water from Rome's historic Acqua Pia Antica Marcia, rebuilt under Pope Pius IX's leadership, and intended to create a striking landmark along the Via Nazionale.