If you visit Rome you cannot miss one tappa to one of the best known fountains in the world. Both because it has been the protagonist of famous films, and because it is a masterpiece, a triumph of Baroque art. We are talking about the Trevi Fountain, a majestic Rococo work. Imposing for its statues but also for the water and the colors it releases. The Trevi Fountain is also known for the legend of the coin.
The Trevi Fountain, the history of the opera
The fountain takes its name from Trevi, which indicates the meeting point of three different streets. It is located on the facade of Palazzo Poli. The construction was commissioned by Pope Urban VII who assigned the task to Bernini, around 1640. But the costs to build the monumental work were very high. So much so that times dwindled and the works were not started. Only with Clement XII took up the idea of building the fountain. A competition among the best artists of the time was due to him in 1730. The Roman architect Nicola Salvi won it.
Two years later work began on this work that encompasses architecture, sculpture and natural elements. Movement is the watchword as in the spirit of the Baroque. The work was completed by the sculptor Pietro Bracci under the tutelage of Clement XIII and the direction of Giuseppe Pannini. The inauguration on May 22, 1762. It has a width of 20 meters and a height of 26. It is also a tribute to the history of the aqueduct.
What do the statues of the Trevi Fountain represent
An attentive and curious eye cannot fail to dwell on the details of this work. Because if on the one hand one is dazzled by the color of the stone, by the play of lights and water, one cannot fail to know them. First of all, the figure of Ocean on a chariot pulled by sea horses and newts. The two horses are different: one is docile and calm, the other is restless and moving. They symbolize the different temperament of the sea.
On the sides of the god there are statues inside two niches. They represent the personification of Abundance, who pours water from his urn and that of the Healthiness, holding a cup from which a snake quenches its thirst. Then Agrippa approving the project and on the right virgin maiden, indicating the source to the thirsty soldiers. Finally it marble coat of arms of Clement XII and the statues they represent the four Seasons.
The legend of the coin toss
La Fontana di Trevi is besieged, in the true sense of the word, every day by thousands of tourists. For this reason, the Romans recommend seeing it perhaps at the first light of dawn or late at night, when there are fewer people. Everyone reaches her for the traditional coin toss. It is said that whoever throws a coin, strictly from behind, towards the fountain, will certainly return to Rome. And then there is a more romantic legend. If two coins are thrown, love will be found; throwing three will soon get married. In short, believing or not the legend, certainly anyone who visits it makes this superstitious gesture. So much so that periodically when the coins are collected there are thousands of them. A part is then donated to charity and the rest of the money used for the maintenance of the site.
Other legends and the films that made her famous
There is also another story that many know. That of a barber who had his business on the square. Annoyed by the noises, he complained constantly. So much so that the sculptor Salvi decided to make a large stone vase on the eastern part of the fountain so as to make it invisible to the barber. And this vase still exists and it seems that if you put the fountain behind it, you really can't see it.
Linked to the Trevi Fountain in the collective memory are also many films. Like "Totò scam 62", The romantic comedy"Three sous in the fountain","Dolce vita”By Fellini, with the famous scene of Anita Ekberg diving while bewitching Marcello Mastroianni inviting him to join her. But woe to immerse yourself in the great fountain. It is absolutely forbidden.
The restoration interventions but also the demonstrative actions
The Trevi Fountain has recently been restored. To want it in January 2013 Fendi. Seventeen months of work that made it possible to recover many parts deteriorated by time. And then Fendi, when the restoration was completed, celebrated the 90th anniversary of the opening of its atelier in the historic center of Rome with a walkway over the water. There are also many demonstrative actions. Among these, that of Graziano Cecchini in 2017 who colored it red, or that of Adrián Pino Olivera who entered the fountain naked.
Cover photo by Rosy Caporale
