Stopping At The Splendid Trevi Fountain

A grand fountain found in Rome is the Trevi fountain. The Trevi fountain got its name because it is located where three streets, or tre vie, joined. Traditionally the Romans placed elaborate fountains at the ends of their ancient aqueducts and the Trevi fountain is one such spot. This was where water from the Salone Springs arrived in the city traveling along the Aqua Virgo.

This was not the first fountain at this point but a new one as the older was not considered dramatic enough. A competition was used to determine the designer of the new fountain and Nicola Salvi won. The fountain was finished in 1762.

Behind the fountain is the Palazzo Poll and the main theme of the fountain is taming the water. In the center there is a triumphal arch that frames Oceanus. Next to Oceanus is Abundance spilling water from her urn and Salubrity holding up a cup for a snake to drink. The horses and the tritons are used to provide symmetry and contrast against the poses and moods, something typical form the Baroque period. The horses show the different moods of the sea as some are calm and another is restive. Above the fountain you can see bas-reliefs of how the aqueduct was built.

You will find many coins in the fountain as there is a legend that if you throw a coin into the fountain then you will return to Rome. You need to throw three coins over your left shoulder, using your right hand into the Trevi fountain.

The fountain has been filmed in many films and been the inspiration of several music pieces. Frederico Fellini used the Trevi fountain in his famous La Dolce Vita. Resphigi used the fountain is one of his symphonies called the Fontane di Roma and Walt Disney World has a replica of a portion of the fountain in Epcot center.

This fountain is in itself an icon of Italy and was the inspiration for the Fontane di Roma works by Resphigi. It was also featured in the famous fountain scene found in La Dolce Vita by Frederico Fellini. Epcot Center in Disney World also contains a partial replica of the fountain.

Any tour of Rome will visit the Trevi fountain as it is one of the main attractions that include the Roman Forum and the Pantheon. It is quite odd for such a small piazza to have such a large fountain but the designer wanted to maximize the sense of wonder of the fountain.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

Looking for an online guide to Rome attractions? Check out our guide to Rome's most famous fountain, the Trevi Fountain.

by: Sandra Migno

Total views: 3 Word Count: 430 Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 Time: 6:52 AM - 0 comments

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