The Trevi Fountain
November 21, 2007
The largest, and probably most popular fountain in Rome
This fountain is 85 feet (25.9 meters) high and 65 feet (19.8 meters) wide. On the very
early pages, you saw the Acqua Paolo.
This is no different, in a manner of speaking. Acqua Paolo and the Trevi Fountain were built
at the end of an aqueduct system. The one that fed the Trevi Fountain was 14 miles (22 km) long.
It was started in 1732, but not finished until 1762.
The Spanish Steps preceding the beginning of the fountain by only six years.
The name, "Trevi," derives from the three streets that converge there - tre vie.
"Tre" is Italian for "three." "Vie" is Italian for "ways." Literally translated, it is Three Ways Fountain.
The lore behind the fountain is to go down to the fountain and stand with your back to it,
place a coin in one hand and throw it over the opposite shoulder. If you throw
one coin, you are ensured a return to Rome. Two coins will ensure a marriage
will occur soon. Three coins thrown over your left shoulder with your right
hand is for luck. The coins are collected every night (could be over 3000 coins a day), and used
for a supermarket for Rome's needy. Although there are regular attempts by people
to steal the coins. Petty crimes are a problem in Rome.
There are only a "few" people in this picture. There have been more trying to "fit in" to the surrounding steps.
Neptune himself stands mighty in the middle.
With his bodyguards protecting him.
It does look wonderful at night.
Go to page 27 - The Spanish Steps.
Go to page 29 - Victor Emmanuel Monument.
Jump back 10 pages to Page 18 - Vatican Plaza.
Jump ahead 6 pages to Page 34 - The Gelato Pages.