fontana di trevi

the majestic work of art of the architect nicola salvi was executed by an army of sculpturs during 30 years of labor from 1732 to 1762. three popes were commited to the execution of this work and their names are inscribed on the facade: clemente xii, benedetto xiv and clement xiii. clemente xii to obtain the money necessary for this and other works of art, introduced the lottery. the fountain is the final piece of the virgin aquaduct, but takes the name trevi because it is in a square at the confluence of three streets (tre vie).

late baroque. the water fairly spurts and gushes - one could almost believe the larger-than-life sea horses are splashing through the waves, especially after dark with the spectacular lighting. it shows genius to create an enormous fountain in a small space. in the 1950's and 60's rome became "hollywood on the tiber" and this fountain became the icon of pleasure-seeking in the italian capital. fellini films, "la dolce vita", paparazzi, anita ekberg getting her body drenched and leaving little to the imagination.

to ensure good luck and an early return to rome, you must toss a coin over your left shoulder and into the fountain, (but in the old days one drank a glass of its sweet water for the same reason). it has become a must to visit. and why not come when it is even more beautiful - at night? the custom in imperial times of building a monument where the new water arrived in rome was copied by the later popes, and some of rome's fanciest fountains were created. these were called "mostras" (shows), and were also a commemoration for whichever pope built them. the trevi fountain is perhaps the showiest of the "mostras".

the building behind was purposely left with a blank wall to accommodate the fountain. the figures are: abundance on the left, good health on the right and, in the middle, the ocean, neptune, controlling the sea horses, with tritons riding on their backs. run, don't walk. even if it is a recent sculpture, completed only in 1762, fontana di trevi is probably the biggest and most scenographic fountain of the roman ones. the floods that arrive to the fountain had two names: virgo or trevi. augustus’ son-in-law, vipsanio agrippa brought the waters till the actual piazza di trevi, but the acqueduct virgo, unveiled in 19 b.c. was made precious with the fountain only several centuries later.

in 1732 the roman architect nicolò salvi, ordered by pope clemente xii, began the works for the fountain, taking again bernini’s ideas developped in the fountain of the 4 rivers in piazza navona. completely realized only 30 years later, fontana di trevi rises at the foot of palazzo poli built in 1729 in a perfect harmony of lights and lines. the monument was realized all in travertine; it has on the base an imposing reef that supports the marble group of god oceanus and two tritons, a pietro bracci’s work. god oceanus is in a niche decorated with flowers and ornaments, sustained by 4 columns and called “cuppolino”. its shell is hauled by two horses led by tritons. horses symbolize the various aspects of sea: one is excited, the other one is quiet. on the side niches are two statues: the copiousness and the healthiness of the air.