Roma - Fontane

Piazza Trevi
Fontana di Trevi

This is the most imposing, scenographic and artistically worthy of all fountains not only in Rome. When, at the beginning of 1730, Pope Clemente XII decided to substitute the beautiful fountian designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1453 with one of imposing majesty, he invited the best artists of that time to present their projects. Nicola Salvi was chosen and work was begun in 1735 and concluded under the papacy of Clamente VIII Rezzonico. The fountain was inaugurated on the 22nd May 176. It covers the whole of one side of Piazza Poli being 20 metres wide and 26 metres high. The Coat-of-arms of Clemente XII carved by Paolo Benaglia is placed at the top, four statues by the sculptors Corsini, Ludovisi, Pincellotti and Queirolo symbolise the four seasons are on the balustrade. In the centre is a coach in the form of a shell pulled by two sea-horses driven by two tritons from which a majestic statue representing the Ocean emerges. The whole group was carved in marble by Pietro Bracci. To the side of the niches is the "Salubrity" on the right and "Abundance" on the left, both works by Filippo Valle. Above these two sculptures is a bas-relief by Giovan Battista Grossi and Andrea Bergondi, reminding one of the legend of Agrippa who approved the project of the aqueduct to that of the virgin who indicates the source to thirsty soldiers. The large basin built on street level symbolises the sea and it is here that tourists throw their coins to wish themselves a pleasant return to the Eternal City. Legend tells that, in order to block the view of work from an excessively critical barber, the architect Salvi placed a large and heavy travertine vase, ironically similar to a soap-dish, immediately in front of the barber's shop. The external left side holds the "Fountain of the Lovers", a simple rectangular basin which receives water from a small pipe.