The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the one of the most beautiful fountain in Italy. This impressive monument is the largest - standing 25.9 meters high and 19.8 meters wide - and most ambitious of the Baroque fountains of Rome. It is located in the small Trevi square, in the Quirinale district.
The Trevi Fountain is situated at the end of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. The water comes from a source located at 20 km from Rome and feeds the fountains in the historic center. In the 4th Century there were in Rome 1352 fountains. In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola Salvi to create a large fountain at the Trevi Square. The construction was finally completed in 1762.
The very center of the fountain is dominated by Neptune, god of the sea, standing in a large shell chariot. The chariot is pulled by two sea horses. One of them is calm and submissive while the other one is impatient and restless. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.
The upper levels of the fountain shows several long inscriptions. The one at the very top says: “Clement the 12th, Supreme Pontiff, embellished with splendid refinement the Aqua Virgo, esteemed for its abundance and wholesomeness, in the year of the Lord 1735, sixth of his office.” The lower one states: “Benedict the 14th, Supreme Pontiff, brought it to completion.”
Over time various legends were born. One says that you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money gets collected each morning and gets donated to charity organizations.
Photo source: Wikipedia
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