Date of publication 16/10/2019
Luxury and history Rome from Fontana di Trevi
Discover the most famous fountain in the world and its amazing surroundings
Nobody whom visits Rome leaves without throwing a coin into the Fontana di Trevi. According to legend, only those whom do so return to the Eternal City. Do you know where this myth was born? It was in the movie Three Coins in the Fountain, from 1954. In this film, they say that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will return to Rome; if you throw two, you will fall in love with an Italian; and if you throw three, you will marry that person.
The history of the Trevi Fountain
But where are the origins of the Fontana Di Trevi? Well, we have to go back to Ancient times, specifically to the time of Agrippa. Legend has it that a mysterious woman explained to the Roman politician where the spring that would bring water to the city was located. Once Vipsanio Agrippa had found it, he wanted to dedicate the aqueduct to that unknown woman, calling it: Acqua Virgo. So the point where the Trevi Fountain is today corresponds to the spot where the fountain was placed and to the end of the Roman aqueduct, which was more than 20 kilometres long.
The fountain as we know it today is an 18th century work and was built by Nicola Salvi after winning a competition organised by Pope Clement XII to remodel the fountain. Unfortunately, the artist died before finishing his work, and it was Guiseppe Pannini who was in charge of finishing it.
It is now well known for the number of films in which it has appeared, such as Holiday in Rome, with Audrey Hepburn; or Fellini's La Dolce Vita, in which Anita Heckberg takes a dip in this fountain.
Nowadays, the fountain is the largest in all of Rome, 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide.
What does the Trevi Fountain represent?
The monumental fountain designed by Salvi, inspired by some sketches by Bernini, represents Ocean, son of Uranus and Gaea, taming the seawaters. Taming two hippocampuses - or sea horses - the statue of this titan presides over this fountain of carved rock, guided by two newts. The fountain also tells the story of the aqueducts in Roman times, represented in the bas-reliefs above the three niches of the fountain.
Luxury in the heart of Rome
Next to the famous fountain, many of the most interesting places in the historical centre are less than 15 minutes away on foot: the Pantheon, the Coliseum, the Campidoglio, Trajan's Forum, Piazza Navona and Piazza di Spagna, among other wonders. This is why this point is ideal to get to know the most impressive monuments of the Eternal City.
On the other hand, Via dei Condotti, five minutes from the fountain, is possibly the most luxurious street in the world. The big fashion brands have their flagship shop here. Do you know who allowed this to happen? A Greek businessman named Sotirio Voulgaris, who in 1894 opened his first shop here, known 125 years later as Bulgari. Take a walk along this street and take the opportunity to do some unique shopping once you have visited this magnificent fountain.
Visit one of the most emblematic spots in Rome and test your luck by throwing a coin into the fountain, which is said to collect around 3,000 euros a day but, remember, do not try to emulate the famous scene from La Dolce Vita by bathing in its waters, as it is strictly forbidden.
