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Trevi Fountain
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The Trevi Fountain, in search of luck.

Who does not remember the scene starring the Swedish actress Anita Ekberg and Marcelo Mastroianni in the film La dolce vita, from 1960, where she enters the waters of the Trevi Fountain and screams asks the one to accompany her in the bathroom.

 

Since I saw this movie, I always had in my mind the intention of going to the eternal city and to know the Trevi Fountain.

 

With all certainty the Trevi Fountain is the most monumental of the fountains in Rome and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Despite its dimensions, it is not easy to find it since it is enclosed in a small square of which it occupies almost the entirety, it is located in the Plaza de Trevi, so named because there are three streets (tre vie) that converge on the square.

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Visits in Rome

Origin of the Trevi Fountain

The Romans built eleven aqueducts in Rome to supply the city with water. In 19 BC The so-called Aqua Virgo was built by order of Agrippa, ending its 22-kilometer journey in this square. Apparently it was the best tasting water in all of Rome.

 

In the initial designs, the fountain had to be located on the opposite side of the square but Pope Urban VIII decided to change it because from that place he could not contemplate the views, so the fountain was attached to the south façade of the Poli Palace, previously called the Palace Ceri, which is currently the headquarters of the Italian Polygraphic Institute.

 

At the request of Pope Clement XII, the architect Nicola Salvi began the construction of the Trevi Fountain in 1732 but due to poor health he died before his work was completed. The completion of the fountain is by the sculptor Giuseppe Pannini in 1762.

Get to know the Trevi Fountain

How is the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain, in classic and baroque style, was built entirely in travertine marble, has a height of 25.9 meters and a width of 19.8 meters.

 

At the top of the fountain, on the façade of the Poli Palace, you can see the coat of arms of Pope Clement XII, the work of Paolo Benaglia. Below this are four sculptures that symbolize the four seasons of the year sculpted by Corsini, Ludovisi, Pincellotti and Queirolo. Each of these sculptures matches a Corinthian column.

 

Continuing the descent we find two bas-reliefs that represent the Virgin Nymph pointing to the fountain to Agrippa’s soldiers (Bergondi’s work) and to him giving the order to build the aqueduct (Grossi’s work).

 

By the sculptor Filippo della Valle are the female sculptures found in the lateral niches, one represents abundance, the other holding in his right hand a vessel from which a snake drinks, symbolizing healthiness. In the center is the figure of Neptune (by Pietro Bracci) standing on a shell-shaped chariot that is drawn by two horses, each guided by a newt, one older and the other young.

 

One of the horses is agitated while the other is not, this symbolizes the different facets that we can find in the sea, the rough sea and the peaceful sea. The scene is set on rocks where plants and many creatures are not lacking.

Trip to Rome

Throwing coins over its waters

Here arose the widespread custom of attracting luck by throwing some coins into the water. For that to happen, you have to throw the coin over your shoulder, that guarantees the visitor that one day they will return to the eternal city. If there are two coins there will be a love encounter and if there are three we have a wedding with a local.


The purpose of the location of the Trevi Fountain is to surprise everyone who visits it, who is suddenly and by surprise with it. It impresses its dimensions within the totality of the square, it does not leave anyone indifferent. It is advisable to visit it during the day and also at night, where the lighting creates a unique atmosphere.


Very close to the Trevi Fountain there are other tourist attractions that are worth visiting, such as Navona Square.

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How is the Trevi Fountain

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