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The Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy
Trevi Fountain in Rome Did you know that water from the Trevi Fountain has been arriving in Rome for over 2,000 years via a 20 kilometres underground aqueduct and that the Romans call it “Acqua Vergine”, the Virgin water?
Trevi Fountain is one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome, and indeed the most famous thanks to “La Dolce Vita”, the film by Fellini where the gorgeous Anita Ekberg takes a bath there and leaves with the help of Marcello Mastroianni.
This legendary scene from Italian cinema had such an impact on the fame of the Trevi Fountain that when Marcello Mastroianni died, the arrival of water was stopped, and the entire fountain was draped in black as a tribute to this great Italian actor.
The Trevi Fountain: Love and Fresh Water
Trevi Fountain in Rome Long before the current fountain was built, it was already said that the taste of “Virgin water” was so good that anyone who drank it could only wish to return to Rome to drink this water from the Trevi Fountain again.
It was also said that if you drank Trevi water at the full moon, then you were sure to return to Rome!
Amorous virtues of the Trevi Fountain
Amorous virtues were also attributed to the “Acqua Vergine” of the Trevi Fountain.Thus, when a young girl made her fiancé drink the water from this fountain before he left for military service, she was sure he would remain faithful to her and never forget her again.
Throw a Coin into the Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain in Rome Do you know what will happen to you if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain?
Since the 19th century, the tradition of tossing a coin into the water has been added.
But beware, not just any throw, the rules for this to “work” are very precise: you have to turn your back to the Trevi Fountain and throw your coin into the pool with your right hand over your left shoulder.
Throwing One, Two or Three coins in Trevi Fountain is not the same!
If you throw a coin into the water of the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome, and it will bring you luck.
Trevi Fountain in Rome If you throw two coins, you will fall in love with an Italian man or woman.
If you throw three coins, love will convert into marriage!
The tradition of tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain has since been replicated in thousands of other fountains, pools, and other pools of water worldwide.
But the original is here in Rome!
The Trevi Fountain pumps are stopped every Monday morning to pick up coins and clean the pool.
Trevi Fountain in Rome This money, which represents nearly 90,000 euros yearly, is donated to the religious association Caritas for the poor.
Love or marriage by tossing your coin, who knows? But for sure, a good action!
Acqua Vergine, Virgin Water: 2,000 Years of Roman History
Water from the Trevi Fountain in Rome has been flowing in Rome since 19 BC thanks to the consul Agrippa who had an aqueduct built almost entirely underground, 20 kilometres long, to bring it there.You should know that, recently, you can visit the Roman underground passages dating back more than 2,000 years that pass under the Trevi Fountain, an opportunity not to be missed: moving, original and instructive!
Trevi Fountain in Rome Agrippa had sent his hydrogeologists to search for water in the Salone and Trebium region.
During their search, they met a young local girl who informed them of the presence of a spring.
“Acqua Vergine” Water or the Virgin’s water
In honour of this young girl, this pure spring water that still flows in the Trevi Fountain was baptized “Acqua Vergine” (Aqua Virgo in Latin): Virgin water or the Virgin’s water.The name of the Trevi Fountain refers to the city of Trebium where the spring was discovered.
Trevi Fountain in Rome This spring water was to be used in the fountains and public Baths of Agrippa, located behind the Pantheon.
Also, note that the water in the Trevi Fountain does not end there:
It's the same “virgin water” that feeds the fountains in Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, and Piazza Farnese!
The Trevi Fountain Show: 20 metres Wide and 26 metres High
This fountain with white marble and travertine sculptures, pristine white when illuminated by the sun, sits on one side of the Poli Palace and is 20 metres wide and 26 metres high.
Trevi Fountain in Rome The sound of a waterfall due to the abundant quantity of water that spurts from all sides in bursts of white foam that gurgle as it falls into the large fountain pool is amplified by this small square in Rome, which acts as a resonance chamber.
A Baroque fountain inaugurated in 1762
In 1732, Pope Clement XII Corsini had a new Trevi fountain built by the architect Nicolò Salvi.The work lasted 30 years, and the fountain was inaugurated by Pope Clement XIII in 1762.
As it should be, the fountain is surmounted by the coat of arms of Pope Clement XII and is presented as a two-order triumphal arch with four Corinthian columns.
Trevi Fountain in Rome
Four Statues represent the Seasons
Beneath the coat of arms, four statues represent the seasons, surmounting two reliefs.On the left, Consul Agrippa is shown approving plans for constructing the aqueduct, while on the right, we see the girl and the hydrogeologists.
Each relief surmounts a statue in a niche.
On the left, we can see the statue of Abundance, and on the right, the Health one, both glorifying the action of the Church and the Papacy.
Trevi Fountain in Rome Both were sculpted by Filippo Valle.
Neptune, king of the Ocean
But the most impressive and the most remarkable piece of choice is at the centre: Neptune, king of the Ocean, perched nearly ten metres high on a superb shell-shaped cart drawn by sea and winged horses held by Tritons, half-fish, half-men.One of the horses is very agitated, while the other is calm, representing the two aspects the sea can take.
This masterpiece sculpted by Pietro Bracci (a student of Gian Lorenzo Bernini) is perched on large rocks overlooking the multimeter fountain basin where the waters fall with a bang for our greatest pleasure!
Trevi Fountain and Underground Guided Tours
Smartphone Tickets AcceptedFountain Underground Tour €29-35 →
Trevi Fountain Art and Story | Location Map
Fountains Squares Bridges Trevi Fountain | St-Peter Square | Popolo |
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