Trevi Fountain Facts

4 Interesting Trevi Fountain Facts

Epitomizing the Italian ‘Dolce Vita’, the Trevi Fountain is a majestic work of art and a true wonder! It’s an unforgettable sight and one of the most iconic fountains in the whole of Rome… Intricately carved out of gleaming Travertine stone, the fountain renders a divine rococo affair – celebrating the great force of Mother Nature. The sculpted mythical figures, the whimsical horses and the cascading turquoise waters add to the authentic Baroque flourish.  

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However, there’s more to this pièce de résistance than meets the eye. Take a look below and learn 4 fantastical facts about the Trevi Fountain.

Trevi Fountain is also known as the Three Street Fountain!

It is believed the term ‘Trevi’ is derived from ‘Tre Vie’, meaning ‘three roads’. The fountain stands at the juncture of the three roads, at the farthest end of the aqueduct, sandwiched between the narrow streets. The location may seem a bit odd to you, but once you reach the crescendo in the square, you will be greeted with the most terrific sight: a tumultuous spring gushing across the massive, chiselled sculptures!

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Trevi Fountain: A glorious testimony of Rome’s enduring relationship with WATER!

The ancient Romans shared an illustrious relationship with water. Long before the construction of the Trevi Fountain was even conceptualized, Aqua Virgo, a medieval aqueduct transported drinking water to the entire city of Rome. It is 22km long and was named in honour of a young Roman damsel who took an army of thirsty soldiers to the source of the spring to give them water.  

The spectacular fountain you see today is sited at the end of the Acqua Vergine (the modern version of Aqua Virgo). At a massive height of 85 feet and width of 65 feet, the Trevi Fountain spills out nearly 2, 824, 800 cubic feet of water each day. Fortunately, the water is entirely recycled now.

Ace of Cups: A structure added for SPITE.

If you are expecting an ordinary stone fountain, you’ll be stunned; the sheer size and grandeur of the fountain are awe-inspiring. The massive stone structure almost takes up the entire Piazza di Trevi.

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You will find large hordes of tourists admiring the innate beauty of fountain; however, very few would ditch the front-view, turn right and stroll over to the side of the fountain. There, parallel to the centre-figure of Oceanus, you can admire the Ace of Cups. The legend says that a barber, whose shop directly faced the plaza, pestered Nicola Salvi with so many unnecessary complaints and criticisms during the construction phase that he added this large vase-like sculpture to block the barber’s view of the fountain forever and put an end to his relentless art-related feedbacks.

Coins from Trevi Fountain are donated to Caritas Charity.

The fountain collects an estimated €3,000 per day – courtesy of countless travel enthusiasts who throw coins into the Trevi Fountain over their shoulders. The legend is that a coin tossed into the waters of the fountain guarantees a return to Rome. Every night, the coins are amassed from the fountain and donated to an Italian charity, named Caritas. In turn, the Roman Catholic charity helps the needy locals to get their groceries.

End Notes

Mere words can never do justice to the pristine beauty and glory of the Trevi Fountain; you need to witness this artistic extravagance with your own eyes. For a unique first-hand experience, we recommend our La Dolce Vita private tour of Rome – it helps you explore the Roman gems and see them in a new light backed by fascinating history, anecdotes and facts. It covers the most famous monuments, piazzas and fountains spread across Rome and its historic centre.

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The tour highlights include the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain. For more details, get in touch with Vatican Tours now.

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