The Treasures of the Trevi Fountain

If you were going to choose to be a fountain , then surely you would pick the Trevi Fountain. Not only is it the most famous and arguably the most beautiful in Rome, it is also the richest. Every day thousands of tourists turn their back on the fountain’s grandeur to throw a coin over their shoulder, ensuring that one day they will return to the Eternal City.

It is also said that throwing two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. Some people say that it only works if you throw the coins with your right hand over your left shoulder. And it is against the rules to look while you throw, even if you do risk injuring other tourists with a flying coin. Approximately 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day, and as most coins are 5 cent pieces, that amounts to a lot of coins. The City of Rome donates all the coins to charity.

The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome at 25.9 meters tall and 19.8 meters wide. Standing in front of the Palazzo Poli with its giant Corinthian pilasters, the two tiered fountain was built below street level, increasing the theatrical effect which greets you as you come across its splendor for the first time. Water cascades over rocks and sculptures. The theme of the fountain is said to be taming of the waters, and alongside Oceanus, with his sea-shell chariot and his sea-horses, the goddess of Abundance spills water from her urn. The fountain’s water flows from an ancient Roman aqueduct, the Aqua Virgo, which is depicted in reliefs above the fountain.

The name Trevi comes from the 'tre vie' (three streets) that lead to the fountain, and it was also three artists who had a hand in its design. The original idea came from ideas by Bernini and Pope Urban VIII. who chose the current location. However his plans to steal materials from the Pantheon and the tomb of Cecilia Metella to build it were not popular with the public so the plan was abandoned. It took another 11 popes until the fountain was actually built, finally by the architect Niccolo Salvi who worked on behalf of Pope Clement XII – although both of them died before the fountain could be finished. The final touches were carried out in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini.

Whatever you do don’t try to recreate that famous scene like Anita Ekberg in Federico Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita. Whilst the audience of bystanders may appreciate it, the Rome City security guards will not be amused as climbing in the water is strictly forbidden. People also adopt ingenious methods to try and fish money from the fountain without being caught. Unfortunately you’ll never be able to enjoy the fountain by yourself. Even in the early hours of the morning there is always a romantic couple or a police officer around watching over it.