The Trevi Fountain

While there are many, many beautiful parts of Rome, my hands-down favorite is the Trevi Fountain.

Unlike many of Rome's fountains, which are free-standing sculptures incorporating bursts of water, or small, drinking-fountain-like pools built into walls, the Trevi Fountain seems to evolve from the side of an otherwise normal-looking building. Smooth stones and columns give way to figures of men and horses, which in turn transition into rough, un-carved rock. While the fountain itself is Baroque, the end result looks both old-world and modern, and is absolutely beautiful.

The Trevi Fountain.

The Trevi Fountian marks the endpoint of the Aqua Virgo, an aquaduct dating from 19 BC. It absolutely amazes me that today, 2000 years (!) after it's construction, this aquaduct still supplies many of the fountains in central Rome with water from Salone Springs, about 12 miles outside the city. Ancient Roman engineers clearly knew what they were doing!

While the aquaduct is very, very old, the Trevi Fountain itself is quite a bit newer. It was commissioned by Pope Clement XII in 1723, and was to be based on several drawings by the famous sculpture Bernini. The fountain depicts Neptune, God of the Sea, riding a chariot pulled by two horses. One horse is very calm, while the other seems rather wild. Together, they represent the ever-changing mood of the sea.

I love how the figures transition from the smooth lines
of the building. 

neptune

I really, really like how the uncut stone
contrasts with the baroque statues-
it makes the fountain's design seem
almost modern. 

According to legend, if you toss a coin over your left shoulder into the Trevi fountain, you will return to Rome someday. I tossed a coin in the summer of 2008, and look at me now! I guess Ben and I will just have to look forward to another Rome trip in the future!