The most beautiful fountain in Rome

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The most beautiful fountain in Rome - Trevi Fountain

Written by Sarah Dudleymore

Tuesday, 25 November 2008 05:39

A visitor can't come to Rome without visiting this masterpiece created in the middle of Rome: the Fontana di Trevi.

by SarahDudleymore

A visitor can't come to Rome without visiting this masterpiece created in the middle of Rome: the Fontana di Trevi.

Probably it's the largest and most beautiful of the Baroque fountains of Rome. It measures 25.9 meters (85 feet) high and 19.8 meters (65 feet) wide. In Rome there are plenty of fountains, more then 3,000 scattered all over the city. But there is no place on earth like this!

This masterpiece is located at the crossing of 3 streets (tre vie) and it's the final point of the "modern" Acqua Vergine which is anancient aqueduct that supplied water to Rome, more than 22 km (14 miles) away from the city. This aqueduct served Rome for more than 400 years.

Numerous alterations were made as the centuries passed. In 1629 Pope Urban VIII, thought the earlier fountain was losing its beauty and asked Bernini to sketch and give the fountain a new definite, monumental form.

When the Urban VIII died the project was forgotten! But in 1732 Nicola Salvi adopted it again and took it over. The fountain was completed in 1762, the orignal Bernini's project was rejected but there are many Bernini touches in the fountain anyway.

A traditional legend says that when a visitor throws a coin into the fountain, he will be back to Rome again. The tossing of the "three coins" was supposed to be done by three different individuals, but nowadays the current version of the legend says that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure that you will either divorce or get married!

Quite a mystery to base your love in a toss of three coins into a fountain. Legend says that this act brings good luck to throw three coins with the right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain.

Approximately 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day and are collected at night. The money has been used to sponsor a supermarket for Rome's needy people. However, there are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain, including some using a magnetized pole. The fountain was refurbished in 1998; the stonework was scrubbed and the fountain provided with re-circulating pumps.

Now what the hell is the building behind Trevi Fountain? This palace it's called Palazzo dei Duchi di Polis and you can admin in the center a modeled replica of the triumphal arch.

On the outside Oceanus, water is coming out from her urn and Salubrity is holding a cup from where the snake is drinkin. There is a copy of the Roman origin of the aqueducts on the top. Horses and tritons provide a balance, giving maximum contrast with their facial expressions and poses.

The theme of the gigantic scheme that jumps forward it's called "Taming of the waters". The mixing of water and rockwork is simply amazing.

No doubt that Trevi is by far one of the most facinating place in Rome where to stay.

About the Author:

Sarah Dudleymore works for The Key to Italy, a travel agency specialized in accommodations in the Rome, in the romantic city of Venice, and in villas and relais in the beautiful countryside hills of Tuscany.