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Trevi Fountain, Rome

Splendid view at nights - Rome
Splendid view at nights
by Karahan
Trevi Fountain tips and photos posted by real travelers and Rome locals.
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Trevi Fountain: The Fountain of Romance
  • Tip Rating:
  • von.otter
  • Updated By von.otter on June 19, 2009
  • Rome Page by von.otter
  • Fontana di Trevi, with its crowds, May 2007 - Rome
    Fontana di Trevi, with its
    crowds, May 2007
    by von.otter, 4 more photos
    Three coins in a fountain,
    Each one seeking happiness,
    Thrown by three hopeful lovers...
    Which one will the fountain bless?

    Three hearts by fountain,
    Each heart longing for its home;
    There they lie in the fountain,
    Somewhere in the heart of Rome.
    — the opening two stanzas from the 1954 Academy Award-winning song, “Three Coins in the Fountain” by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne

    The Trevi Fountain, Fontana di Trevi, has been justly celebrated in song, “Three Coins in a Fountain” from the 1954 motion picture of the same name, and in Federico Fellini’s 1960 “La Dolce Vita” when the very lovely, very drunk Anita Ekberg wades through its waters.

    This stunningly beautiful architectural masterpiece is an 18th-century success. The fountain was built during the pontificate of Clement XII, between 1732 and 1762. The design, by Nicolo Salvi, was chosen over 16 other entrees. Occupying the rear wall of Palazzo Poli, the fountain is more than 60.5 feet wide and 85 feet tall. The dominant figure, Neptune, was carved by Pietro Bracci in 1762. Two tritons guide their father’s chariot, pulled by two seahorses, through the rocky waters.

    The 20-mile long aqueduct that feeds the Trevi is called Acqua Vergine, the Virgin’s Water. The name is connected with the history of the discovery of the aqueduct’s source. One of the bas-reliefs above the fountain (see photo #5) shows a young woman, a virgin, pointing out the spring to Roman soldiers in 19 BC.

    The word trevi is a corruption of two Italian words tre vie, three streets, referring to the streets that converge at the fountain. Everyone who comes to Rome wants to ensure a return visit. Therefore, everyone participates in a tradition: to throw a coin into Fontana di Trevi. There is a method to the coin toss: stand with your back to the fountain, with the coin in your right hand throw it over your left shoulder, and smile for the camera (see photos #2 & #3). Not only will you return to the Eternal City but you will be doing good works as well; the coins are periodically collected and donated to the Italian Red Cross. The coin toss has its roots in the early days of Christianity; pilgrims, leaving Rome, would place a coin on St. Peter’s tomb.

    Because the coin toss is so popular the area around the fountain gets very crowded. To avoid the crush, visit early in the day; but not too early, or you run the risk of becoming part of the fountain’s cleaning crew as we discovered at 08:00 (see photo #4); we returned 90 minutes later to a clean fountain and fewer tourists.

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    Trevi Fountain: Fontana di Trevi
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  • Escadora7
  • Updated By Escadora7 on September 27, 2006
  • Rome Page by Escadora7
  • Two love birds near a pond - Rome
    Two love birds near a pond
    by Escadora7, 9 more photos
    The legend goes that if you throw a coin into the Trevi fountain, you will return to Rome - aaah, wish it was tomorrow. This is probably the most beautiful fountain in the world. We had read in a tourguide that it is the most beautiful at night - so in the evening we ran across the streets of Rome until we stumbled onto it - and there it was. So incredibly amazing!

    A few facts:
    The first fountain at the site was built in 1453 by Pope Nikolaus V., financed from wine-taxes. In 1732 Clemens XII ordered the current fountain to be built, and about 30 years later his predecessor Clemens XIII christined it.
    It is suspected that the architect was Nicola Salvi, but that is not a known fact.

    The sculpture in the middle is Neptun or Oceanus. The 2 tritons were created by Pietro Bracci: the left one trying to tame a fiery horse (symbolizing the rough sea), and the right one blowing a shell-horn (symbolizing the quiet sea).

    Trevi became famous for a scene in Fellinis "La Dolce Vita", when Anita Ekberg takes a late-night bath in the fountain.

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  • Address: Piazza di Trevi
  • Directions: Near Via Del Corso and Via Del Tritone Underground exit: Barberini Buses 52,53,61,62,63,71,80,95,116,119,175,492, and 630 exit Via Del Tritone
  • Website: http://www.romeguide.it/MONUM/STORICI/trevi/trevi.htm
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    Trevi Fountain: Bring Some Coins!
  • Tip Rating:
  • jungles
  • Updated By jungles on June 9, 2006
  • Rome Page by jungles
  • Taken from freefoto.com - Rome
    Taken from freefoto.com
    by jungles
    The Trevi Fountain stands at the terminal point of the Acqua Vergine, one of the ancient aqueducts that brought water from the countryside to the city. Legend states that a young maiden, or virgin (hence the name), revealed the source of the water to a group of Roman soldiers. The bas-relief on the panel in the upper right corner depicts this.

    A series of about eight different popes all wanted to build a beautiful fountain here during their pontificate. After many years of various plans being drawn by numerous architects for an elaborate fountain, none of which were ever completed, in 1732 Nicola Salvi, who was commissioned by Pope Clement XII, finally began work on the fountain. The Pope wanted to make sure he got the credit for it so he erected the inscription at the top in 1735, even though it was still far from completion. He was wise to do so, because he died before it was finished, as did the architect Nicola Salvi. Salvi spent his entire career on this fountain, and it remains his sole legacy. It was finally completed in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini.

    The Trevi Fountain is usually one of the handful of sights that just about any visitor to Rome has on their itinerary. While it is very beautiful, it is also extremely crowded with tourists night and day, and consequently with plenty of immigrant street vendors selling junk to make a living, or pickpockets looking for an easier profit. To see the fountain in something resembling peace and quiet, the best time is early in the morning. Tradition says that if you stand with your back to the fountain and throw a coin from your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain, you will one day return to Rome. Throw two and you will return to Rome and fall in love, three coins and you will return to Rome, fall in love, and get married. So far my first two coins have worked; I should have an update sometime next year about the third!

  • Directions: Head north up Via del Corso and turn right at Largo Chigi. You will see signs pointing to the fountain.
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    Trevi Fountain: Fontana Di Trevi: The Trevi Fountain
  • Tip Rating:
  • deecat
  • Updated By deecat on May 11, 2005
  • Rome Page by deecat
  • The Trevi Fountain in Rome - Rome
    The Trevi Fountain in Rome
    by deecat
    For many , the 1st thing they think of when Rome is mentioned is the sumptuous Trevi Fountain They only know of it from movies seen or books read.

    They have probably heard the legend that whoever drinks the water or throws a coin into the fountain, that person will, no doubt, return to Rome.

    What they might not know is that Agrippa brought the water for this fountain, which is Virgin Water, to Rome by means of an aqueduct. It is thought that soldiers of Agrippa were looking for water in the country, & they met a maiden who showed them the source of this pure water (hence, it is called Virgin Water.)

    On the right side of the Fountain is a bas-relief that represents this story. Now, the bas-relief on the left shows Agrippa explaining to Augustus his plan to bring this pure water to Rome.

    n 1991, Trevi Fountain went through a complete restoration & supposedly has been brought back to its original splendor.

    I did not know until I saw it that the fountain is really a facade of a large palace that is decorated with bas-reliefs on heaps of rocks with statues scattered about as water rushes & gushes from almost every part of this facade.

    I love the figures on this fountain such as the Roman God, Neptune & his Seahorses. The Trevi Fountain supposedly represents the two sides of the sea: Serene & Tumultuous.

    On the lower level of the fountain, a young girl can be seen, and her name is Trivia. Most historians think that the Fountain was probably named after her; thus, The Trevi Fountain.

    This fountain is very difficult to photograph unless you have a widescreen lens. That is why my photo is only a portion of the entire fountain. Another problem is the crowds of people who are also trying to take photographs.

    Allan & I made sure that we saw this famous fountain both in the sunlight & the moonlight.

    By the way, it's way more romantic &much less crowded by moonlight!

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  • Directions: It is located to the right of the famous street called Via del Corso and in the Via delle Muratte.
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    Trevi Fountain: Is this fountain called Trevor? - 2004
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  • craic
  • Updated By craic on January 17, 2008
  • Rome Page by craic
  • Don't skip the Trevi and have a bevvy - Rome
    Don't skip the Trevi and have
    a bevvy
    by craic
    I came upon this by accident. I wandered into this very small square, and there was this huge fountain! No way you can stand back far enough to get the whole thing.
    Chokka with people!
    A woman behind me from Georgia (t-shirt and accent) flicked her map and asked her friend - Is this fountain called Trevor?
    There are a lot of fountains in Rome and each time I saw one I would wonder if it was the Trevi.
    But once you see the Trevi you know they weren't it.
    This is just it.
    Rome does this to you. It does monumentally huge and beautiful with a nonchalant air.
    Oh this? I've got plenty more like this.
    By the way, I defied superstition, and did not throw coins into the fountain.
    Yet I returned to Rome two weeks later without a hitch.
    I expect it only works if you believe in it.

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    Trevi Fountain: Trevi Fountain
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  • sue_stone
  • Updated By sue_stone on November 7, 2004
  • Rome Page by sue_stone
  • Trevi Fountain - Rome
    Trevi Fountain
    by sue_stone, 4 more photos
    The Trevi Fountain must be one of the most famous fountains in the world.

    When I first saw it I was amazed at how such a large fountain could be located in such a small piazza - it seems to be a little squashed in between the buildings, which probably just makes it all the more impressive.

    This large fountain appears to be carved out of marble that juts out of the back of one of the buildings.

    It is impressive.

    It is also pretty crowded here. Keep a tight hold on your belongings.

    If you get the chance to sit on the edge of the fountain (for the obligatory photo) take the time to throw a coin in over your shoulder - this is said to guarantee that you will return to Rome one day....

    I also heard once that if you throw 3 coins into the fountain that not only will you return to Rome one day, but you will marry an Roman.....I wanted to test this theory, but my husband wasn't keen on the idea!! ; ))

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  • Address: Piazza di Trevi
  • Website: http://goitaly.about.com/cs/rome/a/trvi.htm
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    Trevi Fountain: TREVI FOUNTAIN
  • Tip Rating:
  • mallyak
  • By mallyak on August 27, 2008
  • Rome Page by mallyak
  • Trevi Fountain - Rome
    by mallyak,
    4 more photos
    The Trevi fountain, inspired by Roman triumphal arches, is the largest and most famous Baroque fountain in Rome (standing 25.9 meters high and 19.8 meters wide).
    In 1629, Pope Urban VIII, asked Bernini to sketch possible renovations of the fountain, finding it insufficiently theatrical. After the Pope's death the project was abandoned. Bernini's lasting contribution was to situate the fountain from the other side of the square to face the Quirinal Palace (so that the Pope could see and enjoy it).
    The Trevi Fountain as we know it today, was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and competed in 1762.
    The central figures of the fountain are Neptun (God of the sea), flanked by two Tritons. One struggles to master a veru unruly "sea horse", the other lead a far more docile animal. These symbolize the two contrasting moods of the sea.

    The site originally marked the terminal at the Aqua Virgo aqueduct built in 19 BC.
    One of the firts-storey reliefs shows a young girl (the legendary virgin after whom the aqueduct was named) pointing to the spring from which the water flows.
    Appropriately for a fountain resembling a stage set, the theatrical Trevi Fountain has been the star of many films shot in Rome, including romantic films such as "Three coins in a fountain" and "Roman holiday", but also "La dolce vita", Federico Fellini's satirical portrait of Rome in the 1950s.

    Tradition has it a coin thrown into the water guarantees a visitor's return to Rome.

  • Directions: Trevi Fountain is situated in the Trevi square (piazza di Trevi), within walking distance from the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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    Trevi Fountain: The overrated fountain
  • Tip Rating:
  • Henrik_rrb
  • Updated By Henrik_rrb on December 20, 2007
  • Rome Page by Henrik_rrb
  • Fontana di Trevi by night. - Rome
    Fontana di Trevi by night.
    by Henrik_rrb, 3 more photos
    Not very far from the Piazza Venezia you’ll find the famous fountain Fontana Di Trevi. Although it’s quite hard to find it, since the piazza is so small. But just walk down Via del Corso (the big street in front of the Vittoriano) and follow the small brown signs, and you’ll eventually find also this fountain.
    The piazza is small, and specially during the hectic tourist-periods it could be more or less impossible to get even close to the Fontana Di Trevi.
    Not that you miss that much, it’s highly overrated if you ask me…

    Nicola Salvi built the fountain which was completed in 1762. In the middle is a statue of the god of the ocean/water, Neptunus. The fountain relies on a big wall, from the Palazzo Poli. On the sides of Neptunus there are two other statues, two tritons. They are keeping two "seahorses", one wild and one calm, which shows the two sides of the ocean.

    It got famous when Swedish girl Anita Ekberg (although she then forgot how to speak Swedish after three months in USA…) and Marcello Mastroianni ran around in the fountain, in Federico Fellini’s film “La Dolce Vita”.
    Don’t try to do an “Ekberg” though, since the Italian police for some reason doesn’t want tourists running around in their fountain… ;)

    The legend says, though, that if you throw a coin, over your shoulder, into the Fontana Di Trevi you’ll one day return to Rome.
    The community of Rome now and then take up all the coins in the fountain and gives it away to charity.

    UPDATE april 2007: Must say that my latest visit to the fountain gave me another view of it. It's still overcrowded with people around it, but the Fontana di Trevi is a very impressive monument with many details that easily pass by the onlooker.

    UPDATE december 2007: Was very nice to see the fountain in the dark, when lamps lights it up.
    Very crowded around it also in the evening though.

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  • Directions: Just go down on Via del Corso, and then follow the small brown signs for Fontana di Trevi. It's to the right.
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    Trevi Fountain: The most beautiful fountain I've seen!
  • Tip Rating:
  • tere1
  • By tere1 on August 16, 2006
  • Rome Page by tere1
  • Trevi fountain - Rome
    Trevi fountain
    by tere1, 1 more photos
    The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district.

    The fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water.

    The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.

    On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the girl after whom the aqueduct was named.

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  • Directions: On Trevi Square, in the Quirinale District.
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    Trevi Fountain: Fontana di Trevi
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  • MM212
  • Updated By MM212 on August 1, 2009
  • Rome Page by MM212
  • Fontana di Trevi by night (Apr 07) - Rome
    Fontana di Trevi by night (Apr
    07)
    by MM212, 4 more photos
    Rome's most famous fountain, Fontana di Trevi, was sculpted in the 18th century by talented artists from Bernini's school. The fountain is undoubtedly a masterpiece, but unfortunately, the piazza is infested with hords of tourists fighting to throw in a coin or to capture the perfect photo, making for a rather unpleasant encounter with the marvellous sculptures. The calmest time to visit Fontana di Trevi is late at night when the piazza is clear and the sculptures are gloriously illuminated. Throw in a coin (or two) to ensure your return to Rome!

  • Address: Piazza Trevi
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