The Trevi Fountain or Fontana di Trevi tops the list of the most famous fountains in Rome, if not the world. An iconic symbol of the city, it’s a top free attraction (except for the coin you can flip), attracting roughly 1,200 people to the site every hour.
Located in the historic center of Rome, the fountain stands in a small square near the intersections of Via della Stamperia, Via di S. Vincenzo and Via del Lavatore. The closest metro stop is Barberini , although if you want to see the Spanish Steps, you can get off at the Spagna metro stop and walk from Piazza di Spagna to the fountain in about 10 minutes.
History of the Trevi Fountain
Given the sheer number of ancient structures in Rome, the Trevi Fountain is relatively modern in comparison. In 1732, Pope Clement XII held a competition to find a suitable architect to design the new terminal source for the Acqua Vergine: an aqueduct that had been pumping fresh water to Rome since 19 BC. C.
Although Florentine artist Alessandro Galilei won the competition, the commission was awarded to local architect Nicola Salvi, who quickly began construction of the massive Baroque fountain. Influenced by a Bernini design that was never carried out, Salvi’s work features a number of interpretive elements including massive columns and pilasters, waterfalls into a pool at its base, and a powerful sculpture of Oceanus and his chariot in the form shell drawn by seahorses and domesticated by newts. An attic with a balustrade and allegorical figures looms over a triumphal arch, representing abundance, fertility, wealth and comfort.
The Trevi Fountain was finally completed in 1762 by another architect, Giovanni Pannini, after Salvi’s death in 1751. A 17-month restoration funded by the Fendi fashion house was completed in the fall of 2015, returning the fountain to its original gleaming white splendor.
What to do at the Trevi Fountain
From daytime until past midnight, thousands of tourists crowd around the vast Trevi basin to catch a glimpse of this fantastic marble creation of newts, seahorses and pools, all presided over by Oceanus, the divine personification of the sea.
Here are some things to do while visiting the Trevi Fountain.
Toss a coin in the fountain. Tourists often visit the Trevi Fountain to participate in a ritual coin toss. It is said that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, your return to the Eternal City is assured. A second coin tossed promises that you will find love. A third party is supposed to guarantee the marriage.
To properly toss the coin (and this is apparently important for your luck to hold), look out of the fountain, hold the coin in your right hand, and toss it over your left shoulder.
Be amazed by this 18th century Baroque masterpiece. Sculpted against the backdrop of the Palazzo Poli, this impressive travertine fountain stands about 85 feet tall and roughly 160 feet wide, spilling nearly 2,900,000 cubic feet of water every day. It is estimated that around 3,000 euros of coins are mined from the source each day and donated to charities.
It’s easy to get distracted by crowds and photographs, but take a few minutes to admire the detail and scale of this monumental sculptural fountain.
Let’s remember famous movie scenes filmed at the fountain. Cinema has been very good for the Trevi Fountain over the years. Serving the setting for classic films like Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita , Jean Negulesco’s Three Coins from a Fountain , William Wyler’s Roman Holiday, and even Julia Roberts’ hit Eat, Pray, Love , the Trevi Fountain has become in something that Italians Dreams are made of. You can’t get into the fountain like Anita Ekberg’s character in La Dolce Vita did (in fact, don’t!), But it’s still fun to relive the iconic cinematic moments shot here.
Best time to visit
Of course, the best time to visit the Trevi Fountain is when the crowds are at their lightest. This means avoiding midday and late afternoons when the area around the fountain is crowded and congested . If you can make it to twilight, you will find that the evening glow and dramatic lighting effects create a heavenly and romantic atmosphere. Early in the morning is also a good time to be there, as the square is calm and serene.
How to get there
Location: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome
From Piazza di Spagna: Head southeast to Via di Propaganda and continue on Via di Sant’Andrea delle Fratte. Turn left onto Largo del Nazareno and turn right onto Via della Panetteria. In Via della Stamperia, turn right and reach Piazza di Trevi.
From Termini train station: take metro A (red line) to Barberini station and walk 8 minutes to Piazza di Trevi.
Visitor Tips:
Please note that it is strictly forbidden to swim, dangle your feet in the water, eat or sit anywhere on the monument. Violators will be fined € 450 for swimming and € 240 for sitting, climbing or having a picnic at the fountain.
When the crowds are at their peak (and anytime, really), keep an eye out for petty pickpockets and thieves – the Trevi Fountain is the Central de Turismo.
Nearby attractions
Steps in Spanish. A favorite place to unload, Scalinata di Spagna is a sloping staircase with 138 steps, topped by the Trinità dei Monti church. The stairs lead to the playful Fontana della Barcaccia (ugly boat fountain) designed by Pietro Bernini, father of Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Piazza Navona . Home to three impressive fountains, notably Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, this public square is packed with people day and night.
The pantheon . Well preserved and amazing, this ancient pagan temple, built in the 1st century AD. C., is now a Christian church. An engineering marvel, it boasts the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.
