Information
Landmark: Trevi FountainCity: Rome
Country: Italy
Continent: Europe
Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy, Europe
Overview
In the heart of Rome, the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) draws crowds with its sweeping marble figures and glittering blue water, earning its place as one of the world’s most celebrated fountains.You’ll find it in the Trevi district, just steps from the Piazza di Trevi, where crowds gather to snap photos and toss coins into the fountain.Let’s take a closer look at the Trevi Fountain, where water tumbles over pale stone into a cool, shimmering pool.The Trevi Fountain sits where three narrow streets meet, a crossroads that gave it its name.In the heart of Rome’s Trevi district, the fountain stands in full Baroque splendor, its marble figures seeming to surge forward with the rush of water; legend says tossing a single coin into its clear basin guarantees you’ll return to the city, and it marks the end point of the Acqua Vergine, an ancient aqueduct built in 19 BC under Emperor Augustus.In the early 1600s, Pope Urban VIII restored the aqueduct, and a century later, in 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned the fountain itself.Architect Niccolò Salvi, who won a fierce design competition, gave it shape in stone.Giuseppe Pannini and Antonio Cavallucci finished the sculpture work, with artists like Francesco Cocchi adding their own touches.The Trevi Fountain reached completion in 1762, though its design and restoration carried on through the 18th century.Today, it stands as a sweeping Baroque masterpiece, its marble figures alive with motion and drama.The fountain’s sweeping design blends sculptures, cascading water, and intricate reliefs, all leading to its centerpiece: Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, charging forward in a chariot pulled by two foaming, rearing sea horses.The horses capture the sea’s split personality-one stands still and serene, the other rears with spray in its mane-mirroring the ocean’s calm and fury.Around Neptune, statues of mythic figures gather, among them Abundance, embodying the wealth and fertility water brings, and Salubrity, a symbol of health.The fountain’s design features Oceanus on the lower left, a towering figure symbolizing the ocean, along with other allegorical statues.Behind them, a massive stone backdrop holds bas-reliefs telling how the aqueduct came to be and what Rome’s water meant to its people.And of course, there’s the famous ritual-tossing a coin into the clear, rippling water.Legend has it that if you toss a coin into the fountain, you’ll find your way back to Rome.The trick, they say, is to flick it with your right hand over your left shoulder, letting it catch the light as it arcs into the water.Tourists now treat tossing a coin into the fountain as a cherished ritual, woven into its very identity.Each day, the water swallows about €3,000 in shimmering change.They gather the money and give it to a local charity that supports services for Rome’s less fortunate, from warm meals to shelter.The Trevi Fountain towers 26.3 meters high and stretches 49.15 meters across, making it one of the city’s largest.The fountain’s immense size and sweeping elegance make it unforgettable, especially when its waters glow under the night lights.Its fame grew even more after countless film appearances, with Federico Fellini’s 1960 classic *La Dolce Vita* sealing its place in cinematic history.In the famous scene, Anita Ekberg steps into the cool water of the Trevi Fountain, creating a moment that forever tied it to romance and elegance.The fountain later appeared in classics like *Roman Holiday* (1953) and *La Dolce Vita* (1960), boosting its worldwide fame.Over the years, age and constant crowds have led to multiple restorations to keep it gleaming.In 2015, the fashion house Fendi funded the last major restoration, teaming up with experts to scrub the marble until it gleamed, fine-tune the water systems, and safeguard the fountain’s sculptures.They marked the occasion with a special ceremony, where Pope Francis offered his blessing over the work.Later, you can stroll to the Trevi Fountain-its turquoise water glints in the sunlight-and enjoy it for free.This spot draws huge crowds, especially in the evenings, when the fountain glows under golden lights.At night, the water shimmers and ripples like liquid glass-its most magical hour.Early mornings or late evenings are usually quieter, with the soft splash of water carrying in the still air.The fountain sits in a pedestrian zone in the heart of Rome, just a short walk from the Spanish Steps or the Pantheon.Its frequent appearances in movies and TV have kept the Trevi Fountain a must-see for travelers.The Trevi Fountain draws crowds for its stunning beauty and rich history, making it a must-see in the city.Despite its grand scale, the water is carefully managed, with every drop glinting in the sunlight before flowing back into the pool.The fountain recycles its water, sending the same clear stream swirling back through its basin again and again, cutting down on waste.In the end, the Trevi Fountain remains a must-see for anyone visiting Rome.Blending stunning Baroque arches with its historic tie to ancient Rome’s water supply, and still drawing crowds who toss coins for love and luck, it stands at the very heart of the city.Toss a coin into its shimmering waters and wish to return, or just stand there taking in its towering beauty-the Trevi Fountain is still one of Rome’s most unforgettable sights.
