Green dragons spitting out... water!

A typical feature of Milano is the drinking fountain with continuously running water. There is one almost on every square and public garden, pouring fresh, clean water without interruption, like disconsolate widows crying their lost husbands. That is why Milanese people have always called them "vedovelle", meaning "little widows".
They are also known as "green dragons", because of their dragon-like spouts and the green cast iron they are made of. One exception is in piazza della Scala (see picture), where you can find the only "green dragon" made of bronze.
Some people are baffled by the apparent waste of water, but the continuous flow preserves water freshness and quality, especially in case of "dead heads", that is dead end pipelines.

Enjoy!
Drinking fountains provide clean and safe water all through the year. Water is constantly monitored by the Metropolitan Water Company, which guarantees its compliance to hygiene and organoleptic standards. The City of Milan encourages the use of public water ("the Mayor's water", as it is commonly called) instead of environmentally damaging bottled water. So, whether it's a hot summer afternoon or a brisk February morning, enjoy a fresh sip from the "green dragon". Here you will find a map of all 418 "green dragons" in Milano.