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Trevi Fountain: Three Coins in the Fountain

by Mary Jo Manzanares on May 22nd, 2008

Trevi Fountain, or more properly Fontana di Trevi, is Rome’s most spectacular and popular fountain.  And in a city with so many impressive fountains, that’s very high praise!

The Baroque-style fountain, designed by architect Nicola Salvi, is located in a busy section of the city, not far from the popular Via del Corso.

To get to the fountain you walk down narrow streets, some of which seem more like alleys than streets, to the historic center of Rome.  You can hear the noise of the fountain as your approach the piazza, and it gets louder as you approach.

Then, you step into the Piazza di Trevi and before you is the majestic Baroque-style fountain with its intricate sculptures, cascading water, and faded stones.  The design is a tribute to the power and lushness of the sea, both in its design and the roaring water spilling over the rocks.

The fountain, which was completed in 1762, is about 85 feet high and 65 fee4t wide, and presented almost theater-style (especially noticeable when seen from overhead).  

Against the backdrop of the fountain is a large sculpture of Oceanus in the center, along with chariot in the shape of a shell drawn by seahorses.  Additional sculptures flank each side of Oceanus, resting in the niches.  In the water are additional sculptures representing sea creatures, both real and mythological. 

I was expecting something pretty cool — but walking into that Piazza and seeing the fountain for the first time was incredible!  I visited during the late afternoon and also in the evening, both times the Piazza was full of people and energy.  The glow of the fountain in the evening was beautiful and quite romantic.

Even if you haven’t visited Rome, you may have seen Trevi Fountain in the movies:

• In Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), three American roommates working in Italy wish for the man of their dreams after throwing coins into Trevi Fountain.
• In La Dolce Vita (1960), you see Anita Ekberg jumping into the fountain (fully clothed), inviting Marcello Mastroianni to join her.
• In the Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003), Hillary Duff graduated middle school and vacations in Italy.

So what’s with the coin throwing tradition?  Keep reading to find out.

There are a couple of variations on the coin throwing story, all rooted in tradition and interpretation.

The most popular interpretation is that throwing a coin over your shoulder into the water of the fountain will ensure a return visit to Rome.

A current version of this tradition is throwing three coins with the right hand over the left shoulder.  This tradition of three coins probably comes from the movie Three Coins in the Fountain.  In that movie, however, it was three different women each throwing one coin into the fountain.

Still another version of the tradition is that throwing two coins will ensure a marriage coming soon, and three coins means a divorce.

I opted for one coin, throwing it into the fountain with my right hand over my left shoulder.

Whatever the interpretation, thousands of visitors throw coins every day.  It’s estimated that over €3000 a day is collected from the fountain.  The money is used to support needy projects around Rome.

Trevi Fountain is located at 57 F$, Piazza di Trevi.  If you get lost, or turned around as I did, just look for the signs or ask anyone on the street.  The narrow streets, few of which are straight or set up on a grid, can be confusing.  I just asked for help, and people were very cooperative in getting me pointed in the right direction.

Photo credit: personal collection

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POSTED IN: Art, Fun for Families & Kids, Outdoor Activities, Things to See & Do, architecture