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Trevi Fountain
The most spectacular of Rome's fountains, immortalised by Anita Ekberg 's midnight dip in Fellini's classic film "La dolce vita" (The Sweet Life).
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The
fountain was designed to show off the acqueduct of the Acqua Vergine built
by Marco Vipsiano Agrippa in 19 b.C. to supply water to the thermal
baths which he built close to the Pantheon. The water was named Vergin
after the legend telling of a young girl who showed the original spring
to a group of thirsty Roman soldiers. The first fountain to take the waters
of the Acqua Vergine was built in 1453 for pope Nicholas V, designed
by Giovan Battista Alberti in the spot called "of the Trejo" and
through the years it took the name of Trevi. The fountain marked an important
turn point for the town which for centuries had to use water taken from
the Tiber river. Three centuries later pope Clement XII decided to
substitute the old fountain and instigated a competition amongst the best
sculptors of his time to come up with something better. His aim was that
to supply Rome with as much drinking water as possible and at the same time
to give to the city a grandiose work of art. Among the sketches was chosen
that of the Roman Nicolò Salvi.
The construction of the fountain lasted 23 years and it forms the east wing of the Poli Palace. It was modelled on the ancient arch of triumph crowned by the coat of arms of Clement XII. The figure of Ocean (Neptune) dominates proceeding, supported by tritons to either side; the one on the left struggling to control his horse represents a stormy sea, his partner on the right, blowing into a counch shell, symbolises the ocean in repose. The statues in niches either side of Neptune are allegories of Health and Abundance, overseen by figures on the pediment who represent the four seasons. The relief on the fountain to the right of Oceanus illustrates the story of the Vergin which shows the spring to the Roman soldiers. On the other side Agrippa shows his project to the emperor. Into the basin, which represents the sea, tourists throw a coin to ensure their return to Rome. Another romantic rite is linked to the small fountain to the left side, called "small fountain of the lovers". According to the legend the couples who drink at its water will be faithful for ever
The construction of the fountain lasted 23 years and it forms the east wing of the Poli Palace. It was modelled on the ancient arch of triumph crowned by the coat of arms of Clement XII. The figure of Ocean (Neptune) dominates proceeding, supported by tritons to either side; the one on the left struggling to control his horse represents a stormy sea, his partner on the right, blowing into a counch shell, symbolises the ocean in repose. The statues in niches either side of Neptune are allegories of Health and Abundance, overseen by figures on the pediment who represent the four seasons. The relief on the fountain to the right of Oceanus illustrates the story of the Vergin which shows the spring to the Roman soldiers. On the other side Agrippa shows his project to the emperor. Into the basin, which represents the sea, tourists throw a coin to ensure their return to Rome. Another romantic rite is linked to the small fountain to the left side, called "small fountain of the lovers". According to the legend the couples who drink at its water will be faithful for ever
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