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| The Trevi Fountain |
WHY NAMED TREVI? - The fountain was built at the end point of the Roman aqueduct at the junction of three roads. These three streets (tre vie) give the Trevi Fountain its name, the Three Street Fountain.
THE FIGURES - The central figures of the fountain are Neptune (God of the sea), flanked by two Tritons. One struggles to master a veru unruly "sea horse" the other lead a far more docile animal. These symbolize the two contrasting moods of the sea.
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| The blocking urn |
BARBERSHOP BLOCKING - One secret we did learn was that a large urn was placed on the right side of the fountain to block the view of it from a barbershop. Why? To get patrons of the barbershop to stop making suggestions how to improve the fountain!
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| A look at the fountain wall |
Here are 11 more secrets from WalksofItaly.com:
1. One of the oldest water sources
in Rome
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| Roman soldiers on the wall |
The fountain dates back to ancient Roman times, since the
construction of the Aqua Virgo Aqueduct in 19 B.C. that provided water to the Roman
baths and the fountains of central Rome. It’s said that the Aqua Virgo, or
Virgin Waters, is named in honor of a young Roman girl who led thirsty soldiers
to the source of the spring to drink.
2. Salvi was not the original architect chosen
In 1730 Pope Clemens XII held a contest to design a new
fountain. Many important architects participated, but in the end Nicola Salvi
won the rights to design the fountain, though some theories say he may not have
been the first choice. Alessandro Galilei, an architect from the same family as
the famous astronomer Galileo, originally won the commission for the project
but the commission was ultimately given to Salvi after a public outcry. The
reason for the public’s objections? Galilei was a Florentine, while Salvi was a
native Roman.
FOUNTAIN COMPLETED - However Salvi never saw his fountain completed. The first
water came out of the fountain in 1743 but it wasn’t until 1762 that a
different Pope, Clemens XIII, officially completed and inaugurated the new
Trevi Fountain, 11 years after Salvi’s death. Still, the final product is
largely his.
3. Gambling allowed for the fountain’s existence.
The pope
approved the financing of the fountain and also used a lotto
game to pay for it.
4. Made from same material as the Colosseum…
The fountain is mostly built from travertine stone, a
name that means “from the Tiber (River)” in Latin. A mineral made of calcium carbonate
formed from spring waters, especially hot springs, the likely source was the
city of Tivoli, about 22 miles from Rome.
5. Height, Width and Water Usage
It is 85 feet tall and is
almost 65 feet wide. With water pumping out of multiple sources and the large
pool in front, the fountain spills about 2,824,800 cubic feet of (recycled) water every
day!
6. Coins Toss Legends
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| Side view of the Trevi Fountain |
About 3,000 Euro are tossed into the fountain daily. Coins should be tossed over the shoulder. The legend holds that a coin thrown into the fountain will ensure a
return to Rome. This tradition also dates back to the ancient Romans who often
threw coins in water to make the gods of water favor their journey or help them
get back home safely. Throw in a second coin if you’re seeking love – even a
third for wedding bells.
7. It’s a crime to steal the coins from the Trevi
It's illegal to fish out
coins from the fountain. In 2011 thieves were caught by a
T.V. show using a hidden camera in 2011. On thief named d’Artagnan stole the coins from the fountain for 34
years before being caught in 2002.
8. The white stone fountain has been black and red
In 1996 the fountain was turned off and draped in black
crepe to honor actor Marcello Mastroianni after his death. Mastroianni starred
in La Dolce Vita, a movie whose most famous scene was filmed in the Trevi
Fountain. In 2007 a
vandal dumped a red liquid into the fountain turning the water red.
9. This famous fountain is famous on film too!
It appeared in the movies La Dolce Vita, Roman Holiday, Three Coins
in the Fountain and even The Lizzie McGuire Movie. The fountain is even
replicated at Epcot in Walt Disney World!
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| Tom at the Trevi |
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| Rob at the Trevi |
10. Fatalities of Construction
During construction many men were
injured and a few died when working with enormous stone, including a
stonecutter who was crushed by a large block of travertine in 1734.
11. Fountain Coins Go to Charity
What many don’t know is that the coins are collected every night and given to an Italian charity called Caritas. Caritas, in turn, use the money for a supermarket program giving rechargeable cards to Rome’s needy to help them get groceries.
NEXT: The Famous "Spanish Steps"
