Trevi Fountain, Rome

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We visited on a really hot day in September and the area around the fountain was heaving with people which did detract a little from the experience. However, this is still an absolutely stunning sight in Rome and should not be missed. We did find the presence of quite a number of homeless people and beggars to be a little unsettling.

We approached the fountain gradually through a number of little side streets and piazzas in the area on the way from the Pantheon and stopped several times at various cafes to enjoy a drink in the sunshine. I thoroughly recommend approaching the Trevi fountain in such a relaxed and slow way.

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The most well known of Rome's many fountains, and the largest one; a place of "pilgrimage" for tourists from all corners of the globe; a cool, refreshing place to escape the summer heat; the terminal point of an ancient Roman aqueduct; a great Baroque artistic project; one of the more romantic sites in Rome...
Fontana di Trevi is all of these.

According to the legend, a virgin led the ancient Romans to the spring which was to become the water source for the city for 400 years: the "Aqueduct of the Virgin" was constructed from that spring to the city, and a fountain was built at its endpoint, at the Baths of Agrippa. The endpoint was at the meeting of 3 roads: tre via, hence the name "trevi".

The present magnificent 26 meter high Baroque fountain was finished in 1762. The whole place looks like huge opera props: the facade of a palace, the larger than life statue of the mythological Oceanus, the allegorical figures of Abundance and Salubrity, a snake drinking water from a cup... and on the semi-circular, theater-like stairs are hundreds of tourists, sitting and enjoying the sight, the sound of the gushing water, taking lots of photos, and performing the cult of throwing coins into the fountain. One coin will guarantee your return to Rome, two will make you fall in love (with a Roman, most probably), and three coins will supposedly make you marry that person.

So, how many coins will you throw in the fountain next time?!

History^

The Trevi fountain stands on the spot where an ancient Roman aqueduct (Aqua Virgo) ended. The acqueduct, supplying the Baths of Agrippa, has been in use for hundreds of years, before being destroyed by the Goths. When the fountain was built, it was a revival of an ancient tradition of placing a fountain at the end of an aqueduct, which fell into oblivion during the early Middle Ages.

About^

The fountain was built in the 18th century (although original designs were prepared about a century earlier, in Bernini's time) on commission of Pope Clement XII - which was awarded to Nicola Salvi. Salvi died before the work was finished, so it fell to Guiseppe Pannini to finish the job. The main theme of the fountain is taming of the water, with sculptures of Oceanus, tritons, as well as numerous small waterfall features.

The fountain is, however, mostly famous for the tradition of thowing coins, whereby if a visitor throws a coin into the fountain, he or she will return to Rome. Over EUR 3,000 is thrown into the fountain each day, with proceeds going to charity.

Warnings^

The main problems at the square is likely to be pick-pockets (and we have lost about EUR 50 to them ourselves on the most recent trip), and overcrowding - the square where the fountian stands is quite small, and it's teeming with people at all hours of day and night.

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The Trevi Fountain is located in a short distance from the Spanish Steps so you should combine this visit. You can exit at the Spagna metro station to see the Spanish Steps first or you can exit the Barberini metro station to see Trevi Fountain first.

The fountain is quite magnificent. It's creation took a long path from 1629 with initial designs by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Then torn down to create the Salvi Fountain. But Nicola Salvi died in 1751 and then the Trevi Fountain was then finished in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini.

The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and one of the most famous in the world. A nice replica of the fountain can be found at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

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I had been there at about 3AM, lying on the rock and enjoyed the silence of listening to the water, with a very few other visitors - less than a dozen.

The Trevi was the only aqueduct to continue functioning right through the Middle Ages because it is entirely underground. It get its water from eight miles far since 19 century BC.

The art work:
A spectacular Roccoco extravaganza centered around Neptune and his sons the Tritons who guide the horses representing the rough and calm seas.

The fountain takes up the whole facade of the Palazzo Poli.

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Where are many sites within walking distance of each other. The fountain is beautiful. It was actually fun to throw my coin in. Our favorite place we had pizza was around the corner from the fountain. Sorry can't remember the name.

The Trevi Fountain is located in the Trevi Rione (quarter) in Rome and is one of the largest in the world. No point writing its history here and about how popular it is. Although... I know how popular the Trevi Fountain is, but I don't know about its history... and surely I'm not alone. (?)
I'll be back tomorrow with a few details of its history then! :)

I love the fountain but I'm always anxious to get out of the crowds there. I don't really like the kind of vibe there anymore. Just wanted to point out that the central statue is not Neptune but Oceanus, the god of all water.

One thing that comes to mind when I hear the word Trevi... I bought original, old prints from Rome, on two visits to Rome many years ago, very near the fountain -- with certificates of authenticity and all. Very pleasant experiences (well for someone who likes antiques.)

So after throwing your three coins in, explore the surrounding small streets, you might find treasures that will cost you all the money you'd set aside to get to Sicily! if you're as bad as I am at resisting temptation... But I never regretted buying those beautiful prints! I still remember the day I bought them every time I look at them.

The FOUNTAIN TREVI is so beautiful, all about Roma. This city have a SOUL and i feel like a angel. One day I would like to live in Roma, Italy. Well, for New year i was been in Roma and 31.12.2008. i meet one boy in FOUNTAIN TREVI at 10 hour PM. I watch him and he watch me. But, we didn´t talking, photograph... nothing, just shy watching. Well today i´m sad because i didn´t say something to him. But i believe in destiny and i can´t stop thinking about him. And I have one request for everyone, please help me to find him. I don´t know nothing about him, is he from Italy or... I just know that he have a so beautiful eyes, black hair and that he was been in FOUNTAIN TREVI 31.12.2008. at 10 hours PM.
Please say something about this yours friends and maybe somebody know something about this. Maybe he is from Italy. I will grateful if we help me, just try. I know, it´s not easy because we don´t know nothing about this boy but maybe my wish come true. Well i have long curly hair, blond hair, blue eyes... I will attach my pic. If you want to ask me something, just ask, please and thank you for all, I´m so grateful. With loves, IK