10 facts about the Trevi Fountain in Rome
Time to brush up on a few facts about the Trevi Fountain in Rome. One of the city’s largest and most spectacular ornaments.
1. ‘Trevi’ means ‘three-ways’
The name ‘Trevi’ means ‘three-ways’ and is said to refer to the junction of three roads on Piazza dei Cruciferi. There was also a famous Goddess named Trivia. She protected the streets of Rome and had three heads so she could see everything going on around her. She would always stand on the corners where three streets met.
2. The first Trevi Fountain was purely functional
In the Middle Ages public water fountains were purely functional. They supplied fresh drinking water from natural springs to the people in Rome, who would bring buckets to the fountains, and collect water to take home. The first Trevi Fountain was designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1453 at the terminal of the old Aqua Virgo aqueduct. For more than a century this Trevi fountain offered the only supply of pure water in Rome.
3. The Trevi Fountain was not designed by Bernini
The celebrated architect Bernini, who designed 5 spectacular fountains in Rome like the central fountain on Piazza Navona, did not design the present Trevi Fountain. But he did contribute to the process. In 1629 Bernini was commissioned to build a new Trevi Fountain. He pulled down the old fountain and moved the outlet of the aqueduct to its present position. Bernini was allowed to use stone from the tomb of Cecilia Metella on the Appian Way for the fountain, but this caused a public outcry and delayed the project. Bernini left the fountain as a semicircular basin without decorations.
4. Designer with flair for theatrics
The Trevi Fountain was designed by a poet and philosopher called Nicola Salvi. He had no architectural experience, apart from having previously designed a set-piece for a firework display in Piazza di Spagna. Salvi set to work in 1732 and he wanted to create a great waterfall that should spring from the façade of a palazzo. Both Salvi and the sculptor who carved the figures died before the fountain was completed and inaugurated in May 1762.
5. The sea god is not Neptune
The centre piece in the Trevi Fountain is the Greek sea God Oceanus. Unlike Neptune who would have a trifork and a dolphin, Oceanus is accompanied by sea-horses and Tritons who are half men and half mermen. Salvi used the symbolism to visualize an essay on water. The triton on the left who is having trouble with a restless horse represents rough seas. The triton leading a calm steed is the ocean in tranquility. Agrippa to the left is abundance with a toppled vase as the source of water, while Virgo to the right symbolizes health and water as nourishment.
6. There is magic in the water
At some point in the late 19th century, people started to believe that a sip of water from the Trevi Fountain would ensure a return to Rome. No one should attempt drinking the water in the fountain today, but there is a supply of aqua potabile in the right hand corner of the fountain, where you can fill you water bottle.
7. A coin to appease the Gods (and the builders)
The sip of water is accompanied by a coin thrown into the fountain to ensure not just a speedy but a safe return to Rome. This rite has been traced back to the Ancient Romans, who sacrificed a coin in lakes and rivers to placate the Gods into helping them back home safely. Others claim the tradition sprung from an early attempt at using crowd funding to cover maintenance costs.
8. The Trevi Fountain generates 3 000 Euros a day
According to Wikipedia an estimated 3 000 Euros are thrown into the Trevi Fountain each day. The coins are collected every night and given to charity, an Italian organization known as Caritas. They use it on a supermarket programme giving rechargeable cards to Rome’s needy to help them get groceries.
9. The Trevi Fountain in poetry and film
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote The Marble Faun about the Trevi Fountain. And the fountain plays a prominent role in films like ‘Thee Coins in the Fountain’, and ‘Roman Holiday’, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. The best know Trevi Fountain scene is probably from ‘La Dolce Vita’ with Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni. In fact, the fountain was turned off and draped in black crepe to honor actor Marcello Mastroianni after his death in 1996.
10. The Trevi Fountain has reopened after a €2m restoration
From June 2014 to November 2015 visitors found the Trevi Fountain drained and sealed off with fencing. Now it has reopened after a €2m restoration and the attraction is greater than ever.
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Interesting…
Thank you.
You forgot to mention Toto ‘:
Toto has succeeded in sell Fontana !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rYuIz54TQY
How could I forget one of the greatest Italian comedians of the 20th century? My apologies:)
Tip #10 is great – thanks for the heads up. Love that you offer these insights.
Can’t help it. I’m hopelessly curious by nature.
i went there Aug 1, 2014. I was disappointed to see the scaffolding
Understandably. It’s always annoying to miss one of the major attractions.
This was all so interesting to read about Trevi. I know I didn’t do my fair share of research about the fountain other than which shoulder to throw my coins from to return to Rome. Therefore, I just assumed the sea god was Neptune. The Trevi fountain is so spectacular especially at night.
Yes. It’s a nice fountain to bump into during an evening stroll in Rome.
That much money? Interesting! I loved it, it is really pretty and I must say that I was really surprised when I found a smaller recreation of it in a park of Guatemala.
How interesting. Wonder if there are other copies of the Trevi Fountain around the world….
A shame the designers didn’t get to see the completed project. Lots of stuff here we didn’t know, thanks – and on a selfish level, we’re very glad we got to see the fountain minus the scaffolding. ;)
Julia
Me too. It looks better when it’s not behind bars, and afterwards I’m sure it will be prettier than ever.
Great facts. I didn’t know much about the Trevi Fountain I must admit. I threw my change into it and moved on. That’s about it :) I did know about the fresh spring water though and I believe you can still drink from the fountains in Italy. I remember one of our guides drinking from the fire hydrant looking thing on one of our tours. You can tell I did my research eh? ;-)
No need for research, if you have got the right guides. But you are absolutely right. You can drink from all street fountains in Italy, unless they are red and have a valve for a hose instead of a mouth-sized tap.
Very interesting! Loved the details about what the figures represent. Also good to know the unfortunate fact that the fountain will be closed off when we make our first trip to Rome in May 2015. :(
Ohh, that’s a pity. But if you take a sip and throw a coin you will see it next time you’re in Rome.
3000 euros! Good to see tourists (perhaps unwittingly) contributing that much to charity. One of my favourite things about the Trevi fountain is its somewhat ‘hidden’ location. Rather than being in the middle of a huge piazza, there it suddenly appears as you turn a corner.
That’s right. It must be strange for the people occupying the house behind the fountain, though, to have so many tourists staring at your windows every day.
Fact #8 was my favorite! That’s great that all that money goes to those in need. Interesting list!
Yes. It’s good to know all the coins fulfil some wishes.
I’ve been to the Trevi fountain but had no idea about most of these facts! I think it’s great that all the money thrown into it goes towards such a good cause ☺ I never really stopped to thinkabout what happens to all that cash!
No, it’s a small fortune superstition generates every day.
It is so beautiful, Mette! I liked the parts about the magic in the water and the God Oceanus the best. I’m soooo jazzed that you have included maps in the posts! I’m a map “addict” :)
I can’t do without a map either, though I’m not sure if it’s an age thing. With a gps it is not that essential anymore.
The building that is behind the fountain, when was it built? I can only find it’s name online: Palazzo dei Duchi di Polis but no other info.
Did the fountain free stand when it was first built? It’s height is impressive.
Interesting question. As I understand it, the Trevi Fountain has always been a wall fountain, and the built in the same period as the Palazzo Poli behind it.
Thank you for the information! Seeing the Trevi fountain is a dream to me! *_*
Wish I get to visit Rome & the Trevi fountain one day.
I’m sure you will make it sooner or later:)
I just watched the movie Roman Holiday and there were children playing in the fountain and hanging off the horses heads. The movie was filmed in 1953. Were people allowed in the fountain back then?
Great article! I learned so much about the Trevi Fountain in Rome. It’s fascinating to know that the name ‘Trevi’ has such a unique origin, and the historical transformation of the fountain from a functional water source to the magnificent piece of art we see today is truly remarkable. Nicola Salvi’s unconventional background and his vision for the fountain make it even more intriguing. Thanks for sharing these interesting facts!
Thank you for taking the time to comment.