Fontana di Trevi as it’s called in italian is definetely a magnificent master piece created in the very center of Rome.
It’s by far the largest standing and impressive Baroque fountains of Rome. It’s huge: 25.9 meters (85 feet) high and 19.8 meters (65 feet) wide. Rome has an impressive numbero of fountains spread all over the city, more than 3,000, but there is no place on earth like Trevi Fountain.
The place where the fountain is located is at the juncture of three roads. It marks the point of arrival of one of the most ancient aqueducts that supplied water to Rome, the Acqua Vergine acqueduct, stretched 22 km (14 miles) away from the city. The Aqua Virgo acqueduct also fed water into the Baths of Agrippa and has served the city of Rome for more 400 years.
Numerous alterations were made as the centuries passed. In 1629 Pope Urban VIII, thought the earlier fountain was losing its beauty and asked Bernini to sketch and give the fountain a new definite, monumental form.
When the Pope died the project was shelved! The project was adopted and taken over by Nicola Salvi! Work finally began in 1732, and the fountain was completed in 1762. Though Bernini’s project was rejected, there are many Bernini touches in the fountain as it was built
A traditional legend says that when a visitor throws a coin into the fountain, he will be back to Rome again. The tossing of the “three coins” was supposed to be done by three different individuals, but nowadays the current version of the legend says that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure that you will either divorce or get married!
How your love could be governed by the tossing of three coins into a fountain is still a mystery many people believes in. This act has to be done with the right hand over one’s left shoulder and is said to bring good luck.
Approximately more than 4,000 dollars are thrown into the fountain every day and collected during the night. Out of all this money lots have been used to help needy people in Rome. On a regular basis there are attempts to steal coins from the fountain, often using some a magnetized pole. In 1998 the fountain was refurbished and the stonework was scrubbed providing Trevi Fountain with re-circulating pumps.
Many people wonder what is the building behind Trevi Fountain. It’s called Palazzo dei Duchi di Polis. In the center is a modeled replica of the triumphal arch. The center niche has free-standing columns for maximal light-and-shade.
On the outside Oceanus, water comes out from her urn and Salubrity holds a cup from which a snake drinks out from. On the top is a copy of the Roman origin of the aqueducts. The tritons and horses provide symmetrical balance, with the maximum contrast with their facial expressions and poses.
The theme of the gigantic scheme that jumps forward it’s called “Taming of the waters”. The mixing of water and rockwork is simply amazing.
Trevi area is by far one of the most charming neighbourhood in Rome.