Trevi Fountain in Rome – Interesting Facts
Trevi Fountain in Rome it is undoubtedly the most beautiful fountain of Rome. The best part is you can see it for free. After standing in queues and paying up for tickets this was a welcome experience and the best sight in Rome. We headed to Trevi Fountain on the first day of our Rome trip, that was 16th day of our Italy road trip.
We visited Trevi Fountain at twilight hour at the end of our self guided walking tour through Rome. Sun was withdrawing its rays and the lamps around were beginning to take over the role of glorifying the fountain’s beauty.
Wish at Trevi Fountain in Rome Oceanus
Crowds Toss Coins into the Fountain
The mix of the sound of falling water and the oohs and aahs of the tourists around was strangely very pleasing to my audio senses. You have to almost crawl over the crowds to reach the fountain and squeeze yourself to sit over the edge of the fountain. Of course tourists around understand. And yes, I too tossed a coin into the fountain with a hope to revisit this great city again.
Statues of Trevi Fountain
The figures are of Oceanus at center, Tritons on either sides. Of the two, one on right is trying to control an unruly seahorse. The seahorse in the left is more tamed.
They symbolize the two contrasting moods of the sea. In the niches flanking Oceanus, Abundance spills water from her urn and Salubrity holds a cup from which a snake drinks.
Abundance at right of Oceanus spills water from her urn
Legend around Wish at Trevi Fountain in Rome
Why do people throw coin in Trevi Fountain? There are some interesting reasons for this faith.
- The movie from 1954 “Three Coins in the Fountain” has inspired many to throw coins and wish at Trevi Fountain in Rome. People believe that first coin guarantees your return to Rome. Second coin will ensure a new romance, and the third will ensure marriage. (So if you are already married throw just one coin in Trevi Fountain.)
- This tradition dates back to the ancient Romans. They threw coins in water to make the gods of water favor their journey or help them get back home safely.
- Prior to that tradition there was the belief that a glass of the fresh, thirst quenching water from the Trevi Fountain would ensure good fortune and a fast return to Rome.
- Another good reason to throw a coin into Trevi Fountain is that your money goes into charity. It is a good deed after all!
- People throw coins with right hand over left shoulder, though it is not clear why.
Salubrity to left of Oceanus holds a cup from which a snake drinks
Special features of Trevi’s Fountain in Rome
Some of its special features that contribute to the grandeur of Trevi Fountain include:
The Baroque design – Trevi fountain is a prime example of Baroque architecture. It is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome, measuring around 26 m high and 49 m wide. The ornate carvings, sculptures, and figures of the fountain add a special charm to the whole setup.
Notice the central statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, which is the focal point of the fountain. It stands at the center of the composition hogging all attention. It is surrounded by other figures and sculptures representing various mythological figures.
The movement of water is the central theme. The fountain is designed highlighting the flow of water from various sculptures and figures, creating a sense of movement and grandeur. The sculptures and figures include the goddess Abundance, the god Oceanus, and a variety of sea creatures and mythical figures.
The fountain is mostly built from travertine stone, same as the one used for building the Colosseum.
Wish at Trevi Fountain in Rome Triton at Left
Super Interesting Facts of Trevi Fountain
- Guess the approx amount of coins collected from Trevi fountain every day and what is done with the money? The total value of coins collected in Trevi Fountain sums up to €3000 approx. Coins are collected every night and given to an Italian charity called Caritas who use the money for a supermarket program giving rechargeable cards to Rome’s needy to help them get groceries.
- It’s illegal to fish out coins from the fountain. People have been caught on camera doing it and have been taken to court.
- You will be fined if you jump in the Trevi Fountain
- La Dolce Vita movie with its most famous scene filmed in the Trevi Fountain is credited to have made the fountain very famous.
- In 1996 the fountain was turned off and draped in black crepe to honor actor Marcello Mastroianni after his death. He had starred in the movie La Dolce Vita.
- The fountain spills about 2,824,800 cubic feet of water every day! It is recycled water.
- The fountain underwent a major restoration in the years 2014 and 2015. Restoration works included cleaning and fixing the sculptures and figures, and enhancing the lighting system.
Wish at Trevi Fountain in Rome Triton at Right
There are several other interesting fountains. Have a look at these:
Fountain of Neptune in Bologna
Horse Fountain Residenzplatz in Salzburg
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I love i was just walking along and this fountain just magically appears! I visited in September and the crowds were not bad during the day or at night, i feel very lucky. I threw in my coin, haven’t returned yet but know I will!
I always knew about the beautiful Trevi fountain or coin fountain in Rome. But the representation of sea moods by those amazing sculptures is really new and interesting. I loved how interesting you have made this post. Your pictures are amazing,
I always thought that the fountain is too big for that square or the square is too small for that fountain . . . it is always the same with baroque architecture /sculpture! Thanks for describing the sculptures around and the legends behind, I only knew that money goes to red cross
We have fond memories of Rome’s Trevi Fountain. It’s a gorgeous must-see in the Eternal City without a doubt. I hope you enjoyed visiting some of Rome’s other free fountains! They have lots to choose from and enjoy.
I too tossed a coin in the Trevi on my first visit to Rome. It has now become a bit of fun for us to go back whenever we visit especially knowing that the money goes to a good cause/
We also threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain when we visited Rome a couple of years ago. But I didn’t know that the money goes into charity. So cool!
This is a very sweet article – and I of course did throw a coin, too (and actually I came back to Rome, just like they say). I really like your explanations, and you did a good job taking pictures avoiding the crowds – I know how hard that is…. Happy travels!
So beautiful! No surprise to see a thick dense of people flocking it. My friend was out and about at the wee hours and was able to take a crowd-less photo of the Trevi!
Trevi is definitely a highlight of every Rome visit! Too bad it’s so darn crowded though 🙂
One of my favorite places irrespective of the crowds. There is just something about it, especially at night.
Utterly gorgeous. That someone could conceive this and execute it just about blows me away.
Om my blog I saw your new post
from a VERY funny face 😉
But its not here !!!!!
Blogger is not working always perfectly 😛
He looks very special with his lonngggg thin beard
:))))
I can look for hours 🙂
Its a beauty !!!!
Amazing shots Indrani
🙂
Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures of the Trevi's Fountain! It's a nice place to visit indeed!
Ohhhh wonderful shot!!!
🙂
These are lovely captures and some nice lessons in art and mythology too.
I visited the fountain during the day. But I imagine twilight would add a new mystical dimension to the scene.
Lovely photos of the beautiful buildings and statues. Nice place to visit.
Beautiful! I've noticed you have many photos from Italy. Are you studying there or working there?
Brilliant photos.
Oh my, look at the crowd! Besides the beauty and splendor of Rome, I hope there are no pickpocketers amidst the crowd.
I wish I was there!
It's lovely, isn't it? Easy to understand why the tourists flock there to see and photograph.
Rome is one of my favorite cities.
Ah – a wonderful sight indeed!
I've heard so much about this amazing fountain that it is good to see your pictures. Thank you.
how long did you stay in Italy?
This certainly is beautiful and interesting fountain.
So many great things to photograph in Rome. Battling the crowd must not have been too much fun, though.
There does seem to be some very special places that are almost never free of the "maddening crowd"! Terrific captures in spite of the crowd, Indrani! It is indeed an awesome sight! Thanks for sharing, as always! Hope your week is off to a great start!
Sylvia
Hi Indrani
interesting….
thanks for sharing
Wow, look at that crowd! It reminds me of the Angkor Wat temple, people are just everywhere and you tend to brush elbows with the masses as you go through just to get a good glimpse of the temple!
Inside Cambodia
seriously the crowd here is maddening. you must be there between the hours of 1 am and 4 am i guess to get a full shot of this wondrous fountain.
Thank you for showing us the representation of the sea's two moods.
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
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