Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Fountains: Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) - Rome, Italy


Interesting Places I've Photographed
Trevi Fountain
(Fontana di Trevi)
Rome, Italy
Topic: Fountains



N 41° 54.051 E 012° 28.995

Quick Description: 

Rome's Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world.

Long Description:

The Trevi Fountain is a large Baroque fountain tucked away in a residential section of Rome. It's 26 meters high and 20 meters wide and marks the terminal point the Acqua Vergine aqueduct.  The fountain is a wonderful sight by day but really outstanding at night when it is lit up against a darker background.

Originally a simple basin, in 1730 Pope Clement XII organized a contest to design a new fountain. Eventually, Nicola Salvi was awarded the commission. Work began in 1732. Salvi incorporated many design elements proposed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini 100 years earlier. Work continued for 30 years. Nicola Salvi died in 1751 and the fountain was finished by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762, when Oceanus, god of all water by Pietro Bracci, the final figure, was placed in the center. The fountain was cleaned and refurbished in 1998.

 A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, they are destined to return to Rome. You should have your back to the fountain, hold the coin in your right hand and toss it over your left shoulder. Of course, it must land cleanly in the basin of the fountain.

Apparently, based on the popular film Three Coins in the Fountain, several new myths have been circulated. One has it that two coins will lead to a new romance and three coins will ensure either a marriage or, more cynically, a divorce. Some, also, believe you will be blessed with good fortune if you throw three coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder, in the aforementioned manner, into the Trevi Fountain.

An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. Funds are used to help provide food for Rome's needy.

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