Fontana di Trevi - the largest fountain in Rome
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Hey guys, yesterday was my first post in a long time and i was so happy to be back here blogging - so I wanted to continue with my "Rome travel blogs".
Today it's about one of the most beautiful and famous landmarks/sights in Rome - the Trevi Fountain. Most of you probably already know it. The Trevi Fountain, Fontana di Trevi in Italian, is the most popular and, at around 26 metres high and 50 metres wide, the largest fountain in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world.
A fascinating architecture with a lot of historical background
It was built between 1732 and 1762, in a late Baroque style transitional to Neoclassical, adjacent to the Palazzo Poli. It is one of the most important sights in Rome.
What fascinated me most about the fountain was the architecture.
The Trevi Fountain consists of a palace façade with a triumphal arch in front of it. In front of it are sea figures on a rocky landscape, over which the water pours into a large, shallow basin. The fountain itself is made of marble, among other materials.
The figures are meant to represent, among other things, the forces of nature that threaten man's work. On the right-hand side, the façade already seems to be breaking apart due to the rocks that are breaking away. The fountain generally creates a dramatic effect.
What I wouldn't have thought: you can already hear the flowing water of the fountain in the side streets. According to stories, this was exactly what was intended: Salvi (the artist who co-created the fountain) spent a long time experimenting with which stone surface he could achieve this effect despite the relatively small amount of water. All kinds of mythical creatures of the sea, such as sea horses and tritons, are arranged on the rocks, charging towards the viewer. In the centre of the fountain, the stately sea god Oceanus already stands in the middle niche of the triumphal arch.
Sights near the Trevi Fountain
The effect of the fountain is heightened by the rising level of Piazza Trevi, so that as you walk around it, you experience the scenery from constantly changing angles.
The counterpoint is the church of Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio opposite, with its unusual façade of many closely spaced columns.
A few metres away in the Vicolo del Putarello, a part of the Acqua Vergine was excavated during the construction of a cinema, as well as remains of dwellings from the imperial period. The complex can be visited under the name Città del'Acqua.
About 20 metres to the northeast is the Baroque church of Santa Maria in Trivio with frescoes by Antonio Gherardi.
But how do you throw the coin(s) into the fountain correctly so that your wish comes true (according to a legend)? And how much money is in the Trevi Fountain?
Small fact at the end: I had asked myself this question and in the end Google answered it for me ;) Up to 4000 euros end up in the fountain every day, at least before the Corona pandmeia.
And for those who don't want to fish for money in the fountain ;): To make your wish come true, you throw the coin(s) into the well by standing with your back to the well, closing your eyes, making a wish and then throwing the coin into the water over your left shoulder with your right hand.
The city of Rome, of course, regularly cleans the fountain of the coins. The World reported in 2012 that over half a million were fished out of there in half a year! The city donates the money to the Caritas association, which of course uses it for charitable purposes.
Superstition is not really my thing, but it can't hurt ;) According to legend, if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome.
It is interesting to note that this custom does not correspond to the original.
Until 1954, the custom was: 1 sip from the fountain to be sure to come back, 2nd sip to find a Roman partner, and a 3rd sip to celebrate the wedding! An American film changed the ritual!
My final recommendation: plan a little more time to visit the fountain, at least if you want to take a nice photo. I don't know what it's like in times of Corona, but here it's full of tourists. You have to fight for a good photo spot ;) And take care of your valuables.
A definite advantage here is of course that there are no opening hours, accessible daily and at all times.
I hope you liked my post, feel free to give me your freedback! See you in my next Italy post ;)
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