Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain (Italian: Fontana di Trevi) is an 18th-century fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762^[1] and several others. Standing 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide,^[2] it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

Trevi Fountain Fontana di Trevi
Fountain
Design	Nicola Salvi
Construction	1732–1762; 262 years ago (1762)
Height	26.3 metres (86 ft)
Length	49 metres (161 ft)
Surface	Travertine stone
Location	Rome, Italy
Click on the map for a fullscreen view
Coordinates: 41°54′3″N 12°28′59″E / 41.90083°N 12.48306°E / 41.90083; 12.48306

History before 1629

The fountain, at the junction of three roads (tre vie),^[3] marks the terminal point^[4] of the "modern" Acqua Vergine—the revived Aqua Virgo, one of the aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome. In 19 BC, supposedly with the help of a virgin, Roman technicians located a source of pure water some 13 km (8.1 mi) from the city. (This scene is presented on the present fountain's façade.) However, the eventual indirect route of the aqueduct made its length some 22 km (14 mi). This Aqua Virgo led the water into the Baths of Agrippa. It served Rome for more than 400 years.^[5]

Name origin

The name of the fountain derives from the Latin word trivium (intersection of three streets). The statue is located right in the center of Via De' Crocicchi, Via Poli and Via Delle Muratte.^[6]

Roman aqueducts

During the sixth century, the aqueducts were not well maintained and the 14 functioning ones were damaged during the invasion of the Ostrogoths.^{[citation needed]}

The virgin water aqueduct carries the water to the Trevi Fountain, after having collected it 10 km from the Italian capital.^{[citation needed]}

The aqueduct is still in use today, despite some interventions during which the fountain remained empty. Calcium-free water is thought to be one of the causes^{[further explanation needed]}.^[7]

Commission, construction, and design

 

Trevi Fountain in the 18th century, painted by G. P. Panini

In 1629, Pope Urban VIII, finding the earlier fountain insufficiently dramatic, asked Gian Lorenzo Bernini to sketch possible renovations, but the project was abandoned when the Pope died. Though Bernini's project was never constructed, there are many Bernini touches in the fountain as it exists today. An early influential model by Pietro da Cortona, preserved in the Albertina, Vienna, also exists, as do various early 18th century sketches, most unsigned, as well as a project attributed to Nicola Michetti^[8] one attributed to Ferdinando Fuga^[9] and a French design by Edmé Bouchardon.^[5]

Competitions had become popular during the Baroque era to design buildings, fountains, as well as the Spanish Steps. In 1730, Pope Clement XII organized a contest in which Nicola Salvi initially lost to Alessandro Galilei – but due to the outcry in Rome over a Florentine having won, Salvi was awarded the commission anyway.^[10] Work began in 1732.

 

The fountain in Journey of a Frenchman in Italy (1769) by J. Lalande

Salvi died in 1751 with his work half finished, but he had made sure a barber's unsightly sign would not spoil the ensemble, hiding it behind a sculpted vase,^[11] called by Romans the asso di coppe, the "Ace of Cups", because of its resemblance to a Tarot card.^[12] Four different sculptors were hired to complete the fountain's decorations: Pietro Bracci (whose statue of Oceanus sits in the central niche), Filippo della Valle, Giovanni Grossi, and Andrea Bergondi.^[13] Giuseppe Pannini (1718-1805), son of Giovanni Paolo Panini, was hired as architect.^[14]

The Trevi Fountain was finished in 1762 by Pannini, who substituted the present allegories for planned sculptures of Agrippa and Trivia, the Roman virgin.^[15] It was officially opened and inaugurated on 22 May by Pope Clement XIII.^[16]

The majority of the piece is made from Travertine stone, quarried near Tivoli, about 35 kilometres (22 miles) east of Rome.^[17]

Restoration

The fountain was refurbished once in 1988 to remove discoloration caused by smog,^[18] and again in 1998; the stonework was scrubbed and all cracks and other areas of deterioration were repaired by skilled artisans, and the fountain was equipped with recirculating pumps.^[19]

In January 2013, it was announced that the Italian fashion company Fendi would sponsor a 20-month, 2.2-million-euro restoration of the fountain; it was to be the most thorough restoration in the fountain's history.^[20]

Restoration work began in June 2014 and was completed in November 2015. The fountain was reopened with an official ceremony on the evening of 3 November 2015. The restoration included the installation of more than 100 LED lights to improve the nighttime illumination of the fountain.^[21][22][23]

2023 protest

On May 21, 2023, activists of the climate group Ultima Generazione (Last Generation) climate protest group vandalized the fountain by dying the water with charcoal.^[24][25] Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri criticized the attacks on heritage sites. As the fountain recirculates the water, cleaning of the fountain would need the 300,000 litres of polluted water to be emptied and replaced resulting in significant costs.^[26][27] Ryan Maue, the former chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, stated the attack was done by "climate eco-anarchists".^[28]

Iconography

The backdrop for the fountain is the Palazzo Poli, given a new façade with a giant order of Corinthian pilasters that link the two main storeys.^[29] Taming of the waters is the theme of the gigantic scheme that tumbles forward, mixing water and rockwork, and filling the small square. Tritons guide Oceanus's shell chariot, taming hippocamps.^[20]

In the centre, a robustly-modelled triumphal arch is superimposed on the palazzo façade. The centre niche or exedra framing Oceanus has free-standing columns for maximal light and shade. In the niches flanking Oceanus, Abundance spills water from her urn and Salubrity holds a cup from which a snake drinks. Above, bas reliefs illustrate the Roman origin of the aqueducts.^[30]

The Tritons and horses provide symmetrical balance, with the maximum contrast in their mood and poses^{[citation needed]} (by 1730, Rococo was already in full bloom in France and Germany).

Coin throwing

Coins are purportedly meant to be thrown using the right hand over the left shoulder.^[31] This was the theme of 1954's Three Coins in the Fountain and the Academy Award-winning song by that name which introduced the picture.

An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day.^[32] In 2016, an estimated €1.4 million (US$1.5 million) was thrown into the fountain.^[33] The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's poor;^[32] however, there are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain, even though it is illegal to do so.^[32][34][35]

Gallery

•  
  Trevi Fountain
•  
  Sculptures at night
•  
  Trevi Fountain papal coat of arms
•  
  Trevi Fountain as viewed from the right side

In popular culture

 

Anita Ekberg wading in the fountain in the film La Dolce Vita (1960)

The fountain has appeared in several films, including Roman Holiday (1953);^[36] Three Coins in the Fountain (1954); Federico Fellini's classic, La Dolce Vita (1960); Sabrina Goes to Rome (1998); and The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003).^[37]

The Trevi Fountain is depicted in the third movement, "The Trevi Fountain at Noon", of Ottorino Respighi's 1916 symphonic poem Fountains of Rome.^[38]

In Federico Fellini's 1960 film La Dolce Vita, Anita Ekberg wades into the fountain with Marcello Mastroianni.

In 1973, the Italian national postal service dedicated a postage stamp to the Trevi Fountain.^[19]

Replica

A 11 m high and 20.6 m wide similar façade construction as monument was built in 2023 at Serra Negra, Brazil.^[39]

Another copy is located near Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and yet another replica can be found in the Jamsil station of the Seoul Metro Subway.

See also

• List of fountains in Rome
• List of tourist attractions in Rome

References

1. "Trevi Fountain | fountain, Rome, Italy | Britannica". www.britannica.com. from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
2. "Trevi Fountain". Britannica.com - Trevi-Fountain.
3. Though other etymologies have been suggested, this is the straightforward modern etymology adopted by Pinto 1986 and others.
4. The technical Italian term for such a "terminal fountain" is a ("display"): Peter J. Aicher, "Terminal Display Fountains ("Mostre") and the Aqueducts of Ancient Rome" Phoenix 47.4 (Winter 1993:339–352).
5. Pinto, John A. (1986). The Trevi Fountain. Yale University Press. p. 326. ISBN 0300033354.
6. "fontana-di-trevi" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
7. "Trevi: LA FONTANA DI TREVI, sezione: restaurazione". 3 February 2019. from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
8. John A. Pinto, "An Early Project by Nicola Michetti for the Trevi Fountain" The Burlington Magazine 119 No. 897 (December 1977:853–857).
9. Pinto, John; Elisabeth Kieven (December 1983). "An Early Project by Ferdinando Fuga for the Trevi Fountain in Rome". The Burlington Magazine. 125: 746–749, 751.
10. Gross, Hanns (1990). Rome in the Age of Enlightenment: the Post-Tridentine syndrome and the ancient regime. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 28. ISBN 0-521-37211-9.
11. Delli, Sergio (1975). Le strade di Roma: una guida alfabetica alla storia, ai segreti, all'arte, al folklore [The streets of Rome: an alphabetic guide to history, secrets, art, folklore] (in Italian). Armando. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
12. Andrieux, Maurice (1968). Rome. Funk & Wagnalls. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
13. Minor, Vernon Hyde (1997). Passive Tranquillity: The Sculpture of Filippo Della Valle. American Philosophical Society. p. 252. ISBN 978-0871698759. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
14. Marder, Tod A.; Jones, Mark Wilson (2015). The Pantheon: From Antiquity to the Present. Cambridge University Press. p. 523. ISBN 978-1316123232. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
15. Powell, Lindsay (2015). Marcus Agrippa: Right-hand Man of Caesar Augustus. Pen and Sword. p. 198. ISBN 978-1473854017. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
16. Rapagina, Luigi; Matarazzo, Massimiliano (2016). The Trevi Fountain: Digital travel guide. Edizioni Polìmata. p. 15. ISBN 978-8896760925. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
17. . Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
18. "Trevi Fountain To Be Restored". The New York Times. 28 February 1988. p. 3. from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
19. "The Trevi Fountain and the Dolce Vita!". Euronews. 3 November 2015. from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
20. Pullella, Philip (28 January 2013). "Rome Trevi Fountain, symbol of Dolce Vita, to get big facelift". Reuters. from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
21. "Torna l'acqua a Fontana di Trevi, dopo il restauro firmato Fendi". Roma – La Repubblica. 3 November 2015. from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
22. Squillaci, Laura (3 November 2015). "La Fontana di Trevi torna all'antico splendore dopo il restauro". Rai News (in Italian). from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
23. "La Fontana di Trevi, applauso e flash salutano il ritorno dell'acqua". ANSA.it (in Italian). 4 November 2015. from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
24. "Rome climate protesters turn Trevi fountain water black". The Guardian. from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
25. "Trevi Fountain water turns black in Rome climate protest". Reuters. from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
26. Nadeau, Barbie Latza (22 May 2023). "Climate activists dump charcoal in Rome's Trevi Fountain". CNN. from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
27. "Watch: Activists turn Trevi Fountain water black". BBC News. from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
28. Maue, Ryan (21 May 2023). "Italy recently suffered major flooding, so the climate eco-anarachists attacked the Trevi Fountain to get Europe to abandon fossil fuels and undergo extreme degrowth" (Post on X). X. @RyanMaue. from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
29. "Trevi Fountain: Overall view of fountain with the facade of Palazzo Poli". CurateND. University of Notre Dame. 1 January 1910. from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
30. "Trevi Fountain". Lonely Planet. from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
31. Cox, Josie (13 April 2017). "Rome's Trevi Fountain generates €1.4m for city's charities in 2016, reports Caritas". The Independent. from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
32. "Trevi coins to fund food for poor". BBC News. 26 November 2006. from the original on 25 October 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
33. Lavanga, Claudio; Bailey, Nick (13 April 2017). "Rome's Trevi Fountain Holds Nearly $1.5 Million in Loose Change". NBC. from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
34. "Trevi coins row re-surfaces". BBC News. 8 October 2003. from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
35. "Trevi fountain 'copycat' thieves arrested". BBC News. 9 August 2002. from the original on 18 February 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
36. "ROMAN HOLIDAY FILMING LOCATIONS: COMPLETE GUIDE WITH MAP". Nomad Epicureans. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
37. Silver, Alexandra (17 May 2010). "Top 10 Iconic Movie Locations". Time. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
38. "The Three Arts". The Evening Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. 28 December 1920. p. 12. from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
39. "Réplica da 'Fontana di Trevi' fica pronta, e Serra Negra aguarda governador de SP para inaugurar atração". 20 April 2023. from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.

External links

 

Wikisource has the text of the 1905 New International Encyclopedia article "Fountain of Trevi".

• Engraving of the fountain's more modest predecessor.
• Roman Bookshelf – Trevi Fountain – Views from the 18th and 19th centuries
• Trevi Fountain Live Cam
• Trevi Fountain Virtual 360° panorama and photo gallery.

  Media related to Fontana di Trevi at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by Fontana delle Tartarughe

Landmarks of Rome Trevi Fountain

Succeeded by Fountain of the Tritons