{"id":9572,"date":"2022-01-27T17:32:50","date_gmt":"2022-01-27T17:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/trevi-fountain-rome\/"},"modified":"2024-07-25T12:53:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-25T12:53:20","slug":"trevi-fountain-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/trevi-fountain-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"Trevi Fountain in Rome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nestled in the historic heart of Rome, Trevi Fountain is an absolute must-visit for anyone exploring the Italian capital!<\/em><\/p>\n\n

With its extravagant Baroque architecture and monumental dimensions, the fountain rightfully earns its spot at the top of the list of Rome\u2019s most iconic landmarks! <\/em><\/p>\n\n

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Insider<\/strong> Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Top tip:<\/strong> Free guided city tour<\/a> (in English)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodations:<\/strong> all our tips recommendations <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plan your stay:<\/strong> the complete guide to Rome<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting Rome with children:<\/strong> all our tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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A Brief History of Trevi Fountain<\/h2>\n\n

The Origins of Trevi Fountain<\/h3>\n\n

Though the Trevi Fountain was built in the 18th<\/sup> century, its roots go back much further. The fountain marks the end of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, constructed in 19 BC by order of the Roman General Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa.<\/p>\n\n

Stretching 20 kilometers \/ 12.5 miles, the aqueduct supplied water to the Campus Martius, a vast plain in what is now the northwest part of Rome\u2019s historic center, as well as to the Baths of Agrippa.<\/p>\n\n

Before the grand Trevi Fountain was built in the 18th<\/sup> century, a much smaller fountain marked the aqueduct\u2019s end.<\/p>\n\n

The Construction of Trevi Fountain<\/h3>\n\n

In 1730, Pope Clement XII decided to continue the modernization efforts of his predecessors and launched a grand contest to select an architect to create the new Trevi Fountain. The Pope wanted to replace the modest fountain marking the end of the Aqua Virgo with a grand and imposing structure.<\/p>\n\n

Roman sculptor and architect Nicola Salvi won the contest, allegedly impressing the Pope with both his design and its low cost \u2014talk about a practical mind! <\/p>\n\n

Construction began in 1732, but unfortunately, neither Pope Clement XII nor Nicola Salvi lived to see its completion. Salvi died in 1751, and architect Giovanni Paolo Panini finished the work.<\/p>\n\n

The Trevi Fountain was inaugurated in 1761, taking 29 years to complete!<\/p>\n\n

\"Trevi<\/figure>\n\n

La Dolce Vita<\/h3>\n\n

Today, the Trevi Fountain is an emblem of the “Eternal City,” also known for its cinematic fame.<\/p>\n\n

The fountain appears in numerous films, most notably in Federico Fellini’s classic La Dolce Vita<\/em>. The iconic scene of Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni\u2019s midnight dip made the fountain famous worldwide.<\/p>\n\n

But don\u2019t try to recreate the scene yourself\u2014you could face a hefty fine!<\/p>\n\n

The Name “Trevi Fountain”<\/h3>\n\n

The fountain gets its name from the square where it\u2019s located, Piazza di Trevi, which was once at the junction of three roads: tre vie<\/em> in Italian.<\/p>\n\n

A Closer Look at Trevi Fountain<\/h2>\n\n

Backed by the Palazzo Poli, the Trevi Fountain is a monumental structure (20 meters \/ 65.5 ft wide and 26 \/ 85 ft meters high) in the form of a triumphal arch made of Carrara marble and Travertine from Tivoli, supported by four large Corinthian columns. <\/p>\n\n

The fountain is an allegory of water: Nicola Salvi is said to have been inspired by Bernini\u2019s 17th<\/sup> century Fountain of the Four Rivers on Piazza Navona (another must-see!).<\/p>\n\n

At the center of the fountain stands Neptune, the god of the sea, on a shell-shaped chariot pulled by two horses guided by tritons (sea gods). One horse is agitated, while the other is calm, representing the two facets of the sea.<\/p>\n\n

Flanking Neptune, two niches house allegories of Health and Abundance, symbolizing the virtues of pure water.<\/p>\n\n

Above, two bas-reliefs depict General Agrippa and the young girl who, according to legend, discovered the water source feeding the aqueduct.<\/p>\n\n

The upper part of the fountain is adorned with small allegorical statues and Pope Clement XII\u2019s coat of arms.<\/p>\n\n

\"Trevi<\/figure>\n\n

Tossing Coins into Trevi Fountain<\/h2>\n\n

Legend has it that throwing a coin (or more) into the Trevi Fountain brings good luck. But there\u2019s an art to it: you must toss the coin with your back to the fountain, using your right hand over your left shoulder.<\/p>\n\n

The number of coins you throw also has significance:<\/p>\n\n