Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is one of the most sought-after tourist attractions in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The monument has been featured in many films including Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, Roman Holiday and Three Coins in the Fountain.

Over time, a tradition related to the fountain has developed – almost every tourist throws a coin in the fountain, using the right hand over the left shoulder, hoping, according to the legend, to return to Rome. An estimated 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day, meaning that the fountain swallows over 1 million Euros each year.

SHORT HISTORY

In the year 1730, Pope Clement XII organized a contest for the construction of Fontana di Trevi. Alessandro Galilei, a Florentine, won, and Nicola Salvi came second. The city was not satisfied with the winner being from Florence, and the commission was awarded to Salvi.

The work began in 1732 and the monument was completed long after Salvi’s death in 1751. Pietro Bracci’s sculpture, Oceanus, was set in the central niche and Giuseppe Pannini completed it in 1762. The fountain was inaugurated on May 22 by Pope Clement XIII.

ARCHITECTURE

The fountain has a height of 26.3 meters and a width of 49.15 metres, being the largest Baroque fountain in Rome. The fountain is made from Travertine stone, quarried near Rome, in Tivoli.

The central focus of the fountain is the statue of Oceanus, the god of water. To his left and right are statues of tridents and horses. Along the façade of the monument are base reliefs and the whole sculpture is animated by the cascading water, which flows into a large pool in the foreground.

HOW TO GET THERE

The closest Metro station to Trevi Fountain is Barberini, found on the Line A (Battistini – Anagnina). From there, on foot, you have about 600 meters to the fountain or approximately 8 minutes of walking. For directions, use the map below.