Visiting the Trevi Fountain
Ranked among the 10 most beautiful monuments in Rome and a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, the Trevi Fountain is famous for its coin-filled basin and its legends. Tradition says that if you toss a coin into the water with your right hand over your left shoulder, you are guaranteed to return to the city, and it is said to bring good luck.
A symbol of the Dolce Vita
Internationally popularized by Fellini and his Dolce Vita, specifically the iconic scene where Anita Ekberg wades into the water, the sheer scale of the fountain is striking against the intricate detail of its figures. Sculpted in the 18th century by Niccolo Salvi and later decorated by artists from the school of Bernini, this baroque masterpiece sits on the piazza of the same name, built against the Palazzo Poli. Strategically located at the intersection of three major streets, the name Trevi comes from the Latin trevium, meaning three roads.
A tribute to Neptune and the Aqua Virgo aqueduct
Commissioned by Pope Clement XII to replace a much simpler structure, the fountain serves as a grand homage to the Aqua Virgo, the 6th aqueduct of Rome. Carved entirely from travertine stone, it is framed by four columns that highlight Neptune, the god of the ocean, driving a seashell chariot pulled by powerful sea horses. Beside him, allegorical figures representing abundance and health complete the scene.
A few anecdotes
The fountain is a magnet for visitors hoping to make a wish. Every week, authorities collect nearly 14,000 EUR (about $15,200) in coins from the basin, which is then donated to charity.
In 2015, the Italian luxury fashion house Fendi funded 2.5 million EUR (about $2.7 million) for a major restoration project. A year later, the brand held a lavish fashion show at the site. If you can, visit early in the morning before the crowds arrive or late at night, when the lighting highlights the architectural details.
I go to Rome at least once a year and I have watched the Trevi Fountain go downhill year after year! Beyond the crowds that ruin any chance of enjoying it properly (it is almost impossible to take a photo without someone in it...), the area around it is just very dirty. Papers littering the ground, the street is really filthy, and there are barriers that, since last year, keep you from getting close enough to the fountain to throw your coin and make your wish. A highly touristy spot that has lost a lot of its charm and romance. I would recommend the Fountain of the Four Rivers on Piazza Navona instead!