The Trevi Fountain
For centuries the Trevi Fountain has told a powerful story, one of love, culture, and tradition. Built in the heart of Rome in 1762, architect Nicola Salvi designed the fountain to pay homage to the three different tales of the Trevi Fountain; the Baroque style sculpture, the high-tech water show and the rich history behind it.
The Baroque sculpture was designed by Pietro Bracci, and was to serve as a grandiose backdrop to the fountain. On the left part of the fountain stands an ancient seahorse, standing at 25 feet tall, alongside the regular hens, geese and dolphins. Topping off the fountain is a tritón, a mythical hybrid figure with a merman’s tail and a man’s torso, representing Neptune, the god of the sea.
The high-tech water show consists of jets which constantly display a light and water show. Set to music, the fountain produces a magical atmosphere both during the day and at night. During the day, there are multiple jets which create sparkling fountains in different directions and during the night the fountain is lit up with LED’s, illuminating the powerful sculptures from the darkness. Whether viewed from near or far, the fountain is truly a beautiful sight to behold.
Though the fountain stands in its state of grandeur, it holds a deep story of why it was built. The fountain is built on an aqueduct, Aqua Virgo, built in 19BC, a source of water strategic to the ancient expansion of the city. Though the fountain looked different since its original construction, it was renovated multiple times until it was left in its Baroque state.
Over the centuries, the Trevi Fountain has held a superstitious charm to the people of Rome. Legend has it, if one stands at the fountain and throws a coin into the fountain with their right hand over their left shoulder, the gods of Rome will grant the person one wish. As much as this may seem like a superstitions of the people of Rome, the truth is that the coins are collected and are used for Caritas, a charity foundation in the city.
The Trevi Fountain has come a long way since its original construction. Its powerful identity of culture and story both behind and in front of the fountain, has truly captivated the heart of people all over the world. There have been many movies and books based on its story, such as its most popular movie, La Dolce Vita. Its most popular book, Angels and Demons, set in Rome of course, has both tourists and locals flocking towards the fountain in hopes of glimpsing the mythical fountain.
Ancient Rome
The Trevi Fountain was built during the height of the art and architecture of Ancient Rome, a time when prosperity and success were celebrated with architectural works. The Trevi Fountain was no exception, as it was not only built to signify the city’s wealth and prosperity but also to commemorate Ancient Roman gods. This combination of gods and architecture paid homage to Ancient Rome’s legacy and culture.
Art during this period was heavily symbolic, and the Trevi Fountain was designed to be functional yet aesthetically pleasing. It served as a symbol of divine power and control, and its grandiose nature reflected the power and wealth in the city. The Trevi Fountain also symbolized Ancient Rome’s engineering achievement, and it remains a testament to their technical capability. Architecture of this time was often heavily adorned with symbols, and the Trevi Fountain is no different. Its sculptures and symbols, both incorporated and natural, reflect the city’s culture.
The fountain stands tall today, but it is important to note the monumental shifts the Trevi Fountain experienced since its conception in 19BC. Its grandiose, yet modernized look reflects the city’s many changes over the centuries. This is not solely because of its designs, but because of its symbolic importance in the city’s lifetime. The Trevi Fountain is filled with stories of Ancient Rome’s past, and it stands today as a symbol of the city’s many transformations through its history.
Legends and Stories
The Trevi Fountain is also famous for its many superstitions and stories. Multiple stories and legends follow the fountain, many of which involve the supernatural and divine. One such tale involves Neptune, the legendary god of the sea, who is the main figure in the sculpture at the top of the fountain. The story passed down is that when a coin is thrown into the fountain, it grants one wish. Another tale involves the statue of Neptune, which holds a powerful story of love, as the god is supposedly waiting for his beloved Anfitrite. Whether these tales are fact or fiction, one thing is for certain; the Trevi Fountain has held a powerful mythical and spiritual presence in the city of Rome.
Another story the fountain holds is that of love. A charity was set up in the 16th century called the “Fondazione della Fonte della Trevi”. The money raised from the coins thrown into the fountain was used to finance marriages of the young nobles in the city. This tradition currently carried on, with the money from the coins donated to welfare organizations that help the poor and disadvantaged. This makes the fountain even more special, as it brings both love and hope to the many people of Rome.
Interestingly, the fountain has also appeared on the big screen, its most popular being the film “La Dolce Vita”. The Trevi Fountain played a major role in the film and It allowed people from near and far to see the beauty of the fountain and be in awe of it. Its fame has also reached other continents as it has become a popular tourist attraction. Its many stories, legends and films have only served to make it even more iconic.
The Future of the Trevi Fountain
Each year, an estimated 3 million tourists from around the world flock to Rome to get a glimpse of the Trevi Fountain. It is an iconic attraction for many and its powerful architecture, history and myths remain deeply embedded in the culture of the city. It is a symbol of culture, love and hope and its grandiose presence is undeniable.
In 2006, the fountain underwent a major renovation and restoration project. Its extensive effort to repair the fountain took almost two and a half years, and the end result was the beautiful fountain we know today. However, the fountain is constantly at risk as it is constantly exposed to pollutants due to its close proximity to the city.
Rome is constantly fighting against time and pollution to protect the Trevi Fountain and its heritage. With the implementation of general tourism laws to better protect the fountain, as well as a continuous monitoring system for the fountain’s water quality, the city is dedicated to the preservation of the Trevi Fountain.
From its construction in 19BC to its modern day designs, the Trevi Fountain remains a powerful symbol of culture, love and hope. With its rich history and profound spiritual and mythical presence, the Trevi Fountain is sure to remain a symbol of beauty for many years to come.
The Design and Construction
The Trevi Fountain is revered for its beautiful and intricate design. Its Baroque-style sculpture was created by some of the most renowned Italian architects of the time. The fountain was constructed according to specifications of the nine Aqueducts that supplied the city of Rome with fresh water.
The design of the fountain was quite complex and required a lot of foresight and precision, especially given its scale. The construction process made use of both traditional and modern techniques and materials, because of this, it was able to stand the test of time.
The Fountain also houses several other statues, a seahorse and tritón, both symbols of Neptune and the water element. There is also a statue of Neptune, who is said to be in search of his beloved Anfitrite. These statues are symbolic, and are crafted with great attention to detail and intricacy.
The construction of the Trevi Fountain was no small task; it took several years to complete. This included the structure’s design, materials and manufacturing. To build the fountain, it required substantial amounts of money and skilled craftspeople.
The result of its construction is a world-famous masterpiece which has withstood the test of time. This is a testament to the skill and resilience of Rome’s finest architects.
Modern Day Preservation
Though the fountain stands strong, it is at risk of being damaged and destroyed due to a multitude of factors. In order to preserve and protect the fountain, Rome has implemented several initiatives.
The city has created specific tourism laws and a constant monitoring system for the fountain’s water quality. This increases the transparency of the fountain’s daily operations, as well as preserving its physical structure.
Education is also key in preserving the Trevi Fountain. Schools and universities around the world use the fountain as a learning tool for history, maths and art. This promotes interest and respect for the fountain, and encourages students to take a more active role in preserving the fountain’s history.
In addition to educational and preservation initiatives, the fountain has also been protected by UNESCO heritage efforts. This ensures that the fountain remains a symbol of culture and beauty for many years to come.
The Trevi Fountain is a priceless piece of history and art and it is the duty of all to protect it. Rome has implemented several initiatives to strengthen the preservation of the fountain, in order to protect it for future generations.
