Trevi Fountain is the most famous and largest Baroque fountain in Rome. It was built in 1629 and finished in 1762 by Guiseppe Panini. The impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square in Quirinale district.
The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.
On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain.
My son reaching out to touch the water.
The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome) and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water.
The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to
Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.
An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.
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