Of the hundred of fountains that dot the streets and piazzas of Rome, the Trevi Fountain is arguably the most iconic. People from all over the world consider it a must-see attraction in Rome and make the pilgrimage to its steps and throw in a coin; according to legend, this promises a return to the Eternal City. But there is more to this Baroque masterpiece than meets the eye. Here are five facts you may not have known about this famous fountain…
- Its name is quite literal to its location
The term “Trevi” is thought to originate from the term tre vie, meaning “three roads.” And it’s true; the fountain is situated at the junction of three roads. This location may seem odd to tourists, as the fountain does not necessarily stand out from it’s surroundings like other attractions such as the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica do. It’s location, however, has important historical significance. The site of the Trevi Fountain today marks the end of the Aqua Virgo. This aqueduct, constructed in 19 BC and eventually spanning about 22 km, was one of Rome’s main water sources for over 400 years.
2. Its construction was no quick task
A small fountain was built at the site of the Trevi in the fifteenth century, under Pope Nicholas V. It wasn’t until 1732 that Pope Clement XII commissioned architect Nicola Salvi to construct a large fountain that became the Trevi Fountain we know today. The design was based on that of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII to renovate the existing fountain, but the project was abandoned when the Pope died in 1644. Unfortunately, Salvi did not live to see the Trevi completed. Architects Giuseppe Pannini and Pietro Bracci took over the project, and it was inaugurated in 1762.
3. There is allegorical significance to the statues of the fountain
The statuary of the Trevi Fountain is rooted in mythology. Situated under the arch of the fountain is Oceanus, considered by Romans to be a personification of the sea. He stands on a chariot being pulled by two sea horses; one is tame and the other is wild, representing the two moods of the sea. To the left of Oceanus is a statue representing Abundance, and to Oceanus’ right stands a statue representing Health.
4. The fountain brings in an estimated 3000 euro per day
… but this money does not go to waste! Every night the money from the Trevi Fountain is collected and donated to the Roman Catholic charity Caritas. According to their website, the mission of this international charity is “ending poverty, promoting justice and restoring dignity.”
5. The Trevi’s recent restoration was the most elaborate in its history
Italian fashion company Fendi sponsored a restoration of the Trevi Fountain, which took 17 months and approximately 2.2 million euro to complete. The beautiful fountain was largely hidden by scaffolding during the restoration. On the evening of November 3, 2015, the Trevi Fountain was officially reopened. One aspect of this restoration included the installation of a more sophisticated light system, which has helped the fountain become even more luminous after dark. Additionally, the facade and statues were cleaned, the Latin inscriptions found on the fountain were replaced, and new pumps were installed.
No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Trevi Fountain. And who knows… if legend has it right, you might be making more than one visit.