The Trevi Fountain in Rome is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The fountain at the junction of three roads (tre vie) marks the terminal point of the “modern” Acqua Vergine, the revived Aqua Virgo, one of the ancient aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome.
The fountain at the junction of three roads (tre vie)[2] marks the terminal point[3] of the “modern” Acqua Vergine, the revived Aqua Virgo, one of the ancient aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevi_Fountain
In 1629 Pope Urban VIII, finding the earlier fountain insufficiently dramatic, asked Gian Lorenzo Bernini to sketch possible renovations, but when the Pope died, the project was abandoned. Though Bernini’s project was never constructed, there are many Bernini touches in the fountain as it exists today.
After a competition Nicola Salvi was given the commission and Work began in 1732, and the fountain was completed in 1762, long after Salvi’s death, when Pietro Bracci’s Oceanus (god of all water) was set in the central niche.
The Trevi Fountain was finished in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini, who substituted the present allegories for planned sculptures of Agrippa and “Trivia”, the Roman virgin. It was and still is one of the most beautiful and historic cultural landmarks in all of Rome.
The backdrop for the fountain is the Palazzo Poli, given a new facade with a giant order of Corinthian pilasters that link the two main stories. Taming of the waters is the theme of the gigantic scheme that tumbles forward, mixing water and rockwork, and filling the small square. Tritons guide Oceanus’ shell chariot, taming hippocamps.
There are many hotels in this area and within a 3 km radius lie most of the beautiful spots. These areas are also walk only which is a blessing as one doesn’t have to contend with heavy traffic.
There are many walking tours in this area but we bought a guide book and did it by ourselves. that way we could linger in whichever spot we wished to and for as long as we wanted to.
After having walked all over Rome I found a sense of peace when we finally reached the Trevi.
Of course we had chosen the busy holiday season of July so not only was it warm it was extremely crowded.
and sunset rays illuminate the church behind it.
One of the traditions is to throw coins into the fountain as it is supposed to guarantee a return to Rome. I did throw a few and am waiting for an encore
Throwing a coin was the theme of 1954’s Three Coins in the Fountain and the Academy Award-winning song by that name which introduced the picture.
An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day.
some more memories from a beautiful day at the Fountain
