Coins & Love - Lots of drama at the Trevi Fountain in Rome

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The world star among fountains. 26 metres high, 50 metres wide: The Trevi Fountain is exemplary for splendour and pomp in Rome. The absolute WOW effect...

• The death drama towards the end
• The coins, the wishes and amore
• Oceanus and his water: The sea god in the middle of Rome
• >>> Nice to know: Important information for a visit

The most beautiful fountain in the world

1. the death drama towards the end

Away with the eyesore. For 200 years, the popes in Rome repeatedly commissioned the construction of a more beautiful fountain in Trevi. This supplied the population with water from the old Acqua Vergine aqueduct. However, for lack of money, the fountain looked poor and simple. To change this, Pope Clement XXII (*1652-†1740) called for an architectural competition.

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Many famous artists applied, but the winning architect was Nicolai Salvi (*1697-†1751), who was still unknown at the time. The Fontana di Trevi became his life's work. Built like a large stage in the form of a triumphal arch, integrated into the façade of the "Palazzo Poli". A story without a happy ending.

In 1732, Salvi began work on the imposing Trevi Fountain in Rome. The construction was protracted. The architect was extremely fussy and, for example, had parts of the rock wall relaid ten times (!!!). Over the years, Salvi's health steadily deteriorated. In the last months of his life, almost 19 years after construction began, he could only get to the building site with the help of a palanquin.

In 1751 Salvi died without ever having seen the fountain in its full glory. According to his plans, Giuseppe Panini had the fountain completed in 1762 - AFTER 30 (!!!) years.

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2. the coins, the wishes and amore

Throwing coins into the Trevi Fountain in Rome is not just about luck. It's also about amore. Legend has it that if you throw one coin into the fountain, you will return to Rome. If you put two coins in the fountain, you will fall in love with an Italian. And if you throw a third coin into the fountain, nothing will stand in the way of marriage.

In times without a pandemic, about 4,000 euros are thrown into the Trevi Fountain DAILY. That is more than 1.5 million euros per year. The city of Rome empties the fountain daily. The money goes to the local Caritas, which uses it to support soup kitchens, the homeless and poor families.

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3. Oceanus and its water

The theme of the Fontana di Trevi: the forces of nature that threaten man. In the centre of the Trevi Fountain in Rome, the sea god Oceanus stands in a shell pulled by two winged horses. The rocks seem to break, the figures rush towards the viewers.

The water is directed in such a way that you hear the rushing sound long before you see the fountain. Since 2007, the fountain is no longer fed with water from the Acqua Vergine pipe, which is still active today. Now a pump supplies its own water circuit from tap water.

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>>> The Trevi Fountain in Rome: Nice to know!

• OpenThe "Fontana di Trevi" can be admired free of charge - around the clock. Most recently, the Policia Locale had temporarily blocked access to the stairs at the Trevi Fountain when the crowds were too great (mainly on weekends, from October 2021).

• Photos at sunrise: Many blogs recommend getting up at 4.30 in the morning for the perfect photo of the fountain. Forewarning: blogs are read by many. You will (probably) be surprised how many people get up early in Rome.

• Insider: CITTA DELL'ACQUA. Hardly anyone knows what at the Trevi Fountain is located. It was only at the end of the 1990s, during construction work for a cinema and gastro centre, that the water city, the "Vicus Caprarius" from the Roman imperial period, was discovered. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11am to 5pm. More info: https://www.vicuscaprarius.com/

Cinema live on the steps of the Trevi Fountain

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Definitely make it at the Trevi Fountain in Rome!

• Just sit down and watch for an hour: What happens at the "Fontana di Trevi" is usually better than TV and Netflix combined. Perfectly staged selfies in full costume, the tourist photographers fighting for every picture, the newlyweds who for once have eyes for something else.
• Watching the sunset at the Trevi Fountain: It's crowded, but you'll also see at least one marriage proposal (especially on weekends). When the sun goes down, the atmosphere becomes almost sublime. Impressive.
• Flip a coin: Whether one (to come back) or two (to fall in love) or three (to get married), you can still think about it....

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Where?

Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma

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Bus and train tickets here

The best way to get around Rome is without a car - or you have nerves of steel. Find bus and train tickets for your trip through Italy at Omio, including price comparison.

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written by Annie Kayser, first published on 29.10.21

Sources: own research in Rome, Filippo de' Boni: Biografia Degli Artisti. Unternehmen tipi del gondoliere, Venice 1840; Water City Citta dell'Acqua https://www.vicuscaprarius.comCatholic Service News: "Rome's mayor says Caritas will continue to receive coins from Trevi Fountain"