There are a dozen or so public fountains all around Motovun that bear the insignia of Mussolini’s regime. They were installed in the late 1930s and were used until quite recently. One by one, they were turned off, though. The last one was still going when I first came to town. It was at the intersection of Gradiziol and Barbacan, where many a tourist would stop for a brief respite. I remember using it every now and then, as well. After a sip and a splash, I felt thankful for it, too. But a couple of years ago the last fountain was turned off. If I remember correctly, the municipal administration deemed the expense excessive. Besides, the owners of several cafés around town wanted the tourists as thirsty as possible. In short, the poor fountain was in everyone’s way. The funny thing is that I realized all this only today. A couple of years too late.