The fountain was built between the 12th and 11th centuries.
It was fed by the spring of the Colle della Rocca, but its water supply was exhausted as early as the 18th century; probably for this reason, it has been called Dry Fountain ever since.
The architectural features are those common to other medieval fountains: it consisted of a very wide arch, had an underground chamber, access to which was made possible by a staircase, and at the back was a reservoir with a door for inspection and cleaning.