The Trevi Fountain

Address	Piazza di Trevi
Admissions	Free
Hours	Open 24 hours

If you wish to revisit Rome, you must see the Trevi Fountain. Legend dictates that a coin tossed into the fountain will ensure a visitor’s return to the Eternal City. Although the fountain, a fairly recent statue compared to some of Rome’s more ancient monuments, was built in 1762, its water source is much older. In 19 BC, Agrippa created the Vergine Aqueduct, and used the location of the Trevi Fountain as one of the several supply points. To this day, the aqueduct is still active, not only by the Trevi Fountain, but throughout many spots in Rome.

Built by Nicola Salvi, the Trevi Fountain depicts Neptune, the sea god, standing on a seashell chariot drawn by horses and two tridents. Fixed in niches on the left and right side of Neptune, rest the figures of health and fertility. The entire scene sits on a rough pile of rocks, enhancing the grace of the smoothly carved figures. In order to make the dramatic scene seem even greater, the fountain is attached to the numerously windowed back wall of the Palazzo Poli. In addition, Salvi chose to create her work of art in a relatively small piazza, knowing that its grand scale would be further enhanced by the tight space. Nicola Salvi’s intentions were to leave spectators breathless, and she certainly succeeded.