The Trevi Fountain is the most scenic fountain in Rome, and perhaps the most famous in the world, strongly present in the collective imagination thanks to the film La Dolce Vita by Fellini.
History
Its story intertwines with that of the city of Rome, since the empire’s early days.
It is located at the terminus of the conduit of the Acqua Vergine ( “virgin water”) built by Agrippa in the year 19 AD to supply the nearby spa of the Pantheon.
Legend has it that the name of this water comes from a girl, who indicated the location of the source to thirsty soldiers.
Trevi fountain
Damaged by the Goths, the aqueduct was only restored much later in 1453, when Nicolas V asked to installed there a new fountain. This was important for the city that thus became accustomed to have spring water once again after using the water of the Tiber for centuries.
In 1640, under Urban VIII Barberini, a project entrusted to Bernini was launched and then aborted for its cost.Yet the square was renovated and Bernini built two concentric semi-circular basins there.
In 1731 Clement XII Corsini relaunched project, organizing a competition to achieve a large aquatic work.Many artists participated, and Nicola Salvi won in September 1732 as his project was the cheapest. It mixes Baroque influences the new fashion of classicism.
Oceanus
In 1735, during its construction, Clement XII inaugurated it.The works were interrupted several times. Benedict XIV inaugurated the fountain once again in 1744. The first phase ended in 1747, with its statues and fake rocks. Giuseppe Panini took over later, but was dismissed because of he took unwelcome initiatives.In 1759, the task was then entrusted to the sculptor Pietro Bracci.
The fountain was completed under Pope Clement XIII Rezzonico.The third inauguration took place May 22, 1762, after thirty years of construction.
From the first sketch from Maini to Bracci, the ideas of the century from the luminaries of France arrived in Rome and probably account for the black horse and white horse made by Bracci.
Description of the Fountain
The fountain stands against the Palazzo Poli (1728-1730), which base is lower than the ground because of the level of the aqueduct of the Acqua Vergine.
The theme of the entire composition is the sea, represented by a large rectangular pool with rounded corners.
The scene is dominated on the one hand by a rocky cliff which occupies the entire lower part of the building, and secondly, by a large central niche framed by columns, with a large statue of Oceanus driving a chariot shaped like a seashell pulled by two winged horses, themselves led by tritons.From either side, two smaller niches house the statues of Health on the right and Prosperity on the left, referring to pure water.
Horses are designated as the “restless horse” on the left, more dynamic than the other, and the “calm horse” on the right, their attitudes relating to the moods of the sea.
In the top panel, the bas-reliefs represent, on the left Agrippa approving the construction of the Aqua Vergine aqueduct, and on the right, the legend of the little girl who tells the soldiers the location of the source.
Above the large Corinthian columns, four small allegorical statues represent, from left to right, the “abundance of fruit”, the “fertility of the fields”, the “Richness of Autumn” and the “Landscaping of the gardens”.In between the center two, the inaugural inscription is topped by the imposing coat of arms of Clement XII.
The travertine cliff is enriched with natural elements, animals and plants, amid streams of water, made by many artists and craftsmen.The water comes out from multiple locations to flow into the pool, contributing greatly to the scenic and monumental character of the fountain.
The three basins under the chariot are an addition by Giuseppe Pannini.
On the rock to the left of the fountain, a large travertine pot was carved, unrelated to the theme of the fountain. As legend would have it, though credible, Salvi installed it there to annoy a barber’s view. In fact, one could see the fountain from his shop, but he continually criticized the work of the architect.
According to tradition, tourists who throw a coin into the fountain will return to Rome.
Selection of hotels
Selection of hotels, chambers and apartments near the Trevi Fountain, ordered by price or by distance from the monument.
- Good hotels and accommodation sorted BY PRICE less than 600 meters from the Trevi Fountain
- Good hotels and accommodation sorted BY DISTANCE from the fountain
Visit
Photo Gallery
-
- Trevi fountain
-
- Trevi-Brunnens
-
- Trevi-Brunnens
-
- Oceanus
Informations and map
Fontana di Trevi
Piazza di Trevi
Links
Map
Fontana di Trevi, Piazza di Trevi
If you see this after your page is loaded completely, leafletJS files are missing.
