Trevi Fountain, Rome

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We were walking down Via del Lavatore and could hear the cascading sounds of the fountain increasing in intensity-the crowds were getting thicker. We finally reached the infamous Trevi Fountain in all its glory. It was our first touristy thing we had seen in Rome. It was what we needed to energize us and excite us about being in Rome after traveling 8 hours on a plane.
We visited it a number of times after this encounter--our hotel was only a few minutes away and we really enjoyed the atmosphere and shopping in this area. The fountain blew us away every time. It is a different fountain at night- a must-see. We threw a coin over our shoulder- confident we will return to Rome again.

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The Trevi Fountain is like a magnet drawing in people from all around. There is not a lot of space around the fountain. Buildings surround you on all sides. It can get incredibly crowded. Watch out for pick pockets!

There has been a fountain here, although not this elaborate, since 19 BC when the Aqua Virgo aqueduct was completed by Marcus Agrippa. This aqueduct was one of 11 that supplied fresh water to Rome. The aqueduct was destroyed by the Goths in the Seige of Rome (538AD). The aqueduct was restored over 1000 years later and renamed Acqua Vergine.

In 1453, Pope Nicholas V finished mending the Acqua Vergine aqueduct and built a simple basin.

In 1730 Pope Clement XII organized a contest to create a much more dramatic fountain. Work began in 1732, and the fountain was completed in 1762, long after Clement's death, when Pietro Bracci's Oceanus (god of all water) was set in the central niche.

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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.

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This is the Mother of Roman Fountains - the biggest, the most ornate, most photographed and the one everyone just has to see. Completed in 1762, this watery, Baroque-style wonder was designed by Nicola Salvi from an earlier plan by Bernini. The central figure on the seashell is Neptune, and his seahorses are guided by two Tritons. Trevi is situated at the intersection of three roads - tre vie, in Italian - hence its name. And as the legend goes, throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain and you'll be sure to return to the Eternal City. I pitched one in 1973 and, by golly, 34 years later here I was again! The revenue from all those wishes goes to charitable causes so if nothing else, it's a good use of some small change.

The fountain takes up most of the room in the square that it's on and what little space it doesn't fill, the tourists do. They come here in hordes - it was insanely crowded and noisy both times we passed through. Still, the thing is so big that you won't have any trouble seeing it - it just won't be a quiet or romantic experience unless maybe you're here very early in the morning or very late at night. Also, no matter how hot you are, no wading or swimming in the fountain and I'd recommend no eating or drinking anywhere near it either, for reasons I'll explain in my Warnings and Dangers tip under "Eating/drinking in Public".

Good, reasonable restaurant, L'archetto, just a block or two from here (see tip)!

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Yes, the piazza can be impossibly crowded, and yes, the surrounding streets are jammed with tacky souvenir shops and pesky hawkers but - oh yes, it is very beautiful and yes, you do have to come here - and yes - we threw our coins over our shoulder - well, why not? we were in Rome and this was the Trevi Fountain, every bit as much the classic image of Rome as the Colosseum or the dome of St Peters.

An early morning visit will help avoid the crowds, something to consider if you're a keen photographer or planning a romantic proposal. - not too early though or you'll find your photos may feature a dry fountain and a team of cleaners - before 9.30 should do it. If you can, find time to walk through the piazza a couple of times at least at different times of the day.

Everyone says the hawkers and scamsters are a pain at the very least and a real problem at times. We certainly weren't bothered in any way - whether that was luck or years of inurement from travels in dicier places than Rome, I'm not sure. Do be careful though, hold on tight to your bag and camera, don't get so taken up with getting that perfect shot or throwing your coins that you don't notice the innocent-looking fellow with his eye on you and your bag. Practice a cool seeing-straight-through-them stare and always say NO and mean it!

Now go ahead and enjoy the whole Trevi thing - the fountain's just glorious, a wonderful Baroque fanatasy of stone and water, and the colour and buzz of the crowd can be part and parcel of it.

Fed by the Aqua Vergine (the restored Roman Aqua Virgo, one of the ancient city's main water supplies), the fountain depicts Neptune, his chariot drawn by two Tritons (sons of the water god) and hippocamps (mythical waterhorses) taming the waters. A bas relief on the wall above the main sculpture shows the legend of how the source of the aqueduct's water was found.

I (Barb's son) wasn't quite sure what the big deal was about this fountain, but our driver took us here and told us to leave any valuables in the car. I didn't have any as I'd forgotten my camera, so we went up to the fountain and I threw in a coin. My grandmother took pictures for me.

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this is the best place to eat gelato and people watch! there are so many people from different backgrounds, crowded on the steps and flooding the pathways to the best photo opps. it doesn't matter that it 's crowded. i feel that it's a camaraderie of people appreciating a piece of history, a cool summer night, a warm buzz, and a gelato.

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So throwing a coin into the Trevi fountain. My Italian source Marisa said 1 coin is return to Rome one day, 2 is for engagement/ marriage and I think 3 is for divorce? I only wanted to return to Rome and my companion was up for returning to Rome or an engagement so we stopped at 2. : )