Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS…
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The contrasting seahorses, or moods of the sea.
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Throwing a coin or three into the fountain.
PRACTICALITIES
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MAP
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Piazza di Trevi
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Barberini
The flamboyant baroque ensemble was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and depicts
Neptune's chariot being led by Tritons with sea horses - one wild, one docile - represent-
ing the moods of the sea. The water still comes from the Aqua Virgo, an underground
aqueduct that is over 2000 years old, built by General Agrippa under Augustus and which
brings water from the Salone springs around 19 km away. The name Trevi refers to the
tre
vie
(three roads) that converge at the fountain.
To the eastern side of the fountain is a large round stone urn. The story goes that Salvi,
during the construction of the fountain, was harassed by a barber, who had his shop to the
east of the fountain and who was critical of the work in progress. Thus the sculptor added
this urn in order to block this irritating critic.
The famous tradition (since the film
Three Coins in the Fountain
) is to toss a coin into
the fountain, thus ensuring your return to Rome. Around €3000 is thrown into the Trevi
on an average day. This money is collected daily and goes to the Catholic charity Caritas,
with their yield increasing significantly since the crackdown on criminal elements extract-
ing the money for themselves.
In 2012, Karl Lagerfeld announced that Fendi would fund a much-needed €2.18m res-
toration of the fountain. This is one of the latest trends in Italian fashion: saving monu-
ments that the Italian government cannot afford to repair or maintain (in return for some
free advertising on hoardings as the restoration takes place, and plaques commemorating
their assistance).
