The Trevi Fountain is the most famous Baroque fountain in all of Rome. It is located in Trevi Square in the Quirinale district. This fountain was inspired by Roman triumphal arches and stands 25.9 meters high and 19.8 meters wide. In the 15th century, a small Trevi Fountain was built during the Papacy of Nicholas V. This small fountain did not impress Pope Urban VIII. Because of this, in 1629 Bernini was asked by Pope Urban VIII to sketch possible renovations for the fountain. Bernini's job was to place the fountain in an area where it would face the Quirinal Palace so the Pope could see and enjoy it.
In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola Salvi to replace the existing fountain and create a large one. This was a continuation of the mission started by Bernini that stopped after the death of Pope Urban VIII. Salvi based his masterpiece on Bernini's theatrical design. The Trevi Fountain was inaugurated in 1762. Sadly, Nicola Salvi had passed away 11 years before. The placement of the Trevi Fountain is at the end of Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct that was constructed by Agrippa in 19BC. This aqueduct brings water from the Salone Springs and supplies water to the fountains found in Rome's historic center.
Neptune, god of the sea, is found in the center of the fountain. He is riding a shell- shaped chariot pulled by two sea horses. One of the horses is obedient, while the other is stubborn. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea. On the left side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance. On the right side of Neptune is a statue representing Salubrity. Above the statues are bas-reliefs. The left one is Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain. He is shown explaining his plan for the aqueduct to Augustus. The bas-relief on the right displays the moment when the virgin points to the source of the spring which is used for the aqueduct. The allegorical statues in front of the attic symbolize the four seasons. The coat of arms of Pope Clement XII crowns the top of the Trevi Fountain. Water is found flowing over fake rocks and into a large semicircular basin which represents the sea. About 80 million liters of water flow through the fountain every day.
It is tradition to toss a coin into the fountain. If you do, you will return to Rome.
Works Cited
"Trevi Fountain." , Rome. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
"Trevi Fountain (Fontana Di Trevi)." Rome.info. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola Salvi to replace the existing fountain and create a large one. This was a continuation of the mission started by Bernini that stopped after the death of Pope Urban VIII. Salvi based his masterpiece on Bernini's theatrical design. The Trevi Fountain was inaugurated in 1762. Sadly, Nicola Salvi had passed away 11 years before. The placement of the Trevi Fountain is at the end of Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct that was constructed by Agrippa in 19BC. This aqueduct brings water from the Salone Springs and supplies water to the fountains found in Rome's historic center.
Neptune, god of the sea, is found in the center of the fountain. He is riding a shell- shaped chariot pulled by two sea horses. One of the horses is obedient, while the other is stubborn. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea. On the left side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance. On the right side of Neptune is a statue representing Salubrity. Above the statues are bas-reliefs. The left one is Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain. He is shown explaining his plan for the aqueduct to Augustus. The bas-relief on the right displays the moment when the virgin points to the source of the spring which is used for the aqueduct. The allegorical statues in front of the attic symbolize the four seasons. The coat of arms of Pope Clement XII crowns the top of the Trevi Fountain. Water is found flowing over fake rocks and into a large semicircular basin which represents the sea. About 80 million liters of water flow through the fountain every day.
It is tradition to toss a coin into the fountain. If you do, you will return to Rome.
Works Cited
"Trevi Fountain." , Rome. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
"Trevi Fountain (Fontana Di Trevi)." Rome.info. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.