This is the most comprehensive introduction to the Italy Trevi Fountain, allowing you to learn about the Trevi Fountain from all aspects. Take you into the beautiful, marble fountain from the designer, construction time, style, legend, and so on.
Trevi Fountain Fome Facts
The Italy Trevi Fountain (Italian: Fontana di Trevi) is an 18th-century fountain in the Trevi district of Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini et al. The massive fountain measures approximately 85 feet (26 meters) high and 160 feet (49 meters) wide. At its center is a statue of the god of the sea, standing on a chariot pulled by a Hippocampus, accompanied by Triton. The fountain also features statues of abundance and health. Its water comes from an ancient aqueduct called Acqua Vergine, long considered the softest and tastiest water in Rome. For centuries, barrels of it were brought to the Vatican every week. However, the water is now undrinkable.
The Trevi Fountain is located in the Trevi district of Rome, next to Palazzo Poli. An earlier fountain on the site was demolished in the 17th century, and in 1732 Nicola Salvi won a competition to design a new fountain. His creation is a landscape spectacle. The idea of combining the facade of the palace and the fountain originated from a project by Pietro da Cortona, but the grandeur of the central Arc de Triomphe with its mythological and allegorical figures, natural rock formations and gushing water is Salvi’s. The Trevi Fountain took about 30 years to complete, and its completion was overseen in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini, who had slightly altered the original plan after Salvi’s death in 1751.
Who designed and built the trevi fountain?
The final design and construction of the Trevi Fountain are primarily attributed to the Italian architect Nicola Salvi. He won the design competition in 1732 and spearheaded the project.
After Salvi’s death, Giuseppe Pannini took over the refinement and completion. The sculptures involved several masters (including Pietro Bracci), and the fountain was finally completed in 1762.
Design and Construction Timeline
Early Conception: Since the 16th century, successive popes and architects had planned to build a grand fountain at the end of the Accavilgo canal. The initial draft and location selection underwent numerous discussions.
1732 Competition: Nicola Salvi won the competition, establishing the overall composition of a grand Baroque facade and a narrative sculpture group.
Sculpture Team: The central Oceanus and supporting sculptures were completed by sculptors such as Pietro Bracci, enhancing the dramatic tension of the water and natural themes.
Completion and Perfection: After Salvi’s death, Giuseppe Pannini organized the finishing touches and technical refinements in 1762, bringing the fountain to its present state.
Key Figures and Overall Division of Labor
Main Designer: Nicola Salvi (won the contract in 1732, designed the overall composition and narrative).
Important Completion Worker: Giuseppe Pannini (finished and technically refined after Salvi’s death, completed in 1762).
Key Sculptural Contribution: Pietro Bracci (central principal figure and key supporting figures), with several other sculptors contributing to secondary and decorative groups.
Year of Completion: 1762
Style: High Baroque, characterized by a strong narrative and dynamic facade and sculptural composition.
Pietro Bracci:
Central Principal Figure: Oceanus (often translated as the Sea God). Left: Allegorical group portrait “Abundance”; Right: Allegorical group portrait “Salubrity” (sometimes translated as “health” or “hygiene”)
Hippocamps (often called seahorses or seahorse monsters) and Tritons: Designed and executed primarily by Pietro Bracci, with some details assisted by workshop assistants.
Secondary decorations (shells, ribbons, cherubs, and plant motifs)
Filippo della Valle:
“The Virgin Points Out the Source to Soldiers” (commonly known as “The Virgin Points the Fountain”)
Giovanni Battista Maini:
“Agrippa Approving the Aqueduct”: Giovanni Battista Maini (some sources mention his drafting and participation), with the workshop team completing the final touches.
Rocco Rossi collaborated with the workshop sculptors: Papal coat of arms and laurel wreath (Bourbon family coat of arms and accessories). The heraldic elements of Pope Clement XII and subsequent popes constitute a political and patronage context.
Paolo Campi and his team of on-site craftsmen (belonging to the category of architectural decoration): Niches, columns, and decorative moldings.
Giuseppe Pannini:
Pannini’s role was more engineering and integration-oriented, ensuring harmony between the facade, rock mass, hydraulic system, and sculptural composition.
The rock mass (scogliera) and the aqueduct outlet stonework were completed by the on-site stonemasonry team organized by Giuseppe Pannini, based on Salvi’s original plan and Bracci’s dynamic composition.
History of the Italy Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain in Rome is not only a Baroque masterpiece but also the “final stage” of ancient Roman water conservancy. It connects to the ancient Acqua Vergine aqueduct—traditionally built by Agrippa, a general under Augustus, in 19 BC—to bring clear spring water into Rome. The fountain marks the historical end of this aqueduct within the city.
From Classical to Baroque: A Long Development of Ideas
The Transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
During the Middle Ages, aqueducts continued to serve the city, but fountains were relatively simple in form.
From the Renaissance to the early Baroque, popes and city officials increasingly desired to showcase water conservancy and authority through grand facades, leading to numerous proposals and postponements of designs for the fountain’s final stage.
The Finalization and Construction in the 18th Century
1730s: Pope Clement XII supported reconstruction and held a design competition.
1732: Architect Nicola Salvi won the contract, establishing the overall composition of the Baroque narrative and grand facade.
During construction, Sculptor Pietro Bracci was responsible for creating the core sculptures, including the central “Oceanus” and the flanking allegorical sculptures (abundance, health/hygiene), and organizing the dynamic scene of the seahorse and its rider.
1762: After Salvi’s death, Giuseppe Pannini completed the finishing touches and technical integration, officially completing the fountain. The two narrative reliefs on the upper level were completed by Filippo della Valle and Giovanni Battista Maini (often listed as designer/participant), telling the historical stories of the “Virgin’s Finger” and “Agripa’s Approval of the Aqueduct Project.”
Modern Restoration and Cultural Impact
19th–20th Centuries: Multiple maintenance and minor repairs ensured the stability of the waterways and stone structures.
1998–2000: Major restoration work, including stone cleaning, structural reinforcement, and upgrading of the water treatment system.
2014–2015: A major restoration sponsored by fashion brands, cleaning up pollution, repairing cracks, and improving lighting and water circulation, presenting the fountain to the public in a safer and clearer state.
Cultural Memory: From classic films to travel rituals (coin-tossing for wishes), the Trevi Fountain has become a romantic symbol of Rome and a shared urban ritual for travelers worldwide.
Narrative and Symbolism
Core Theme: The Power and Gift of Water. The central sea god symbolizes the sea and abundance, while two seahorses, one still and one restless, represent the duality of water—its “tamed and wild” nature.
City and Power: Papal coats of arms and ancient Roman reliefs intertwine religious and secular authority, public works, and civilized order on the same facade.
Site Drama: The scogliera (rock formation) and multi-tiered water basins create a boundary between nature and artifice. Water flows from the “rock” into the urban space, becoming a sensory theater of Roman public life.
Origin of the Trevi Fountain Building
The Trevi Fountain structure is built on top of an already existing ancient water source, built in Roman times in 19 BC. The structure is set centrally, marked at the junction of the three main roads. The name “Trevi” comes from this place and means “Three Street Fountain”. As the city grew, the fountain existed until 1629, when Pope Urban VIII thought the ancient fountain was not grand enough and ordered a renovation to begin. He commissioned the famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini to design the fountain, and he created many sketches of his ideas, but unfortunately, the project was put on hold due to the death of Pope Urban VIII. The project was not restarted until a hundred years later, when architect Nicola Salvi was assigned to design the fountain. Using Bernini’s original sketches to create the finished work, Salvi took more than 30 years to complete, and the final product for the Trevi Fountain was completed in 1762.
What’s so Special about the Trevi Fountain?
One of the biggest sights in Rome, the Trevi Fountain, at 26 meters high and 49 meters wide, is a must-see in the city. The Trevi Fountain is famous for its intricate artwork decorated in the Baroque style, rich in history and detail. As one of the finest buildings in existence, it demonstrates the skills of ancient Roman craftsmanship. It is an ancient water source that has recently been intensively restored and cleaned by the luxury fashion house Fendi. One of the best evidences of ancient Roman craftsmanship. As the most famous fountain on earth, this iconic landmark is 10,000 years old and well worth a visit in Rome. Visitors who have appeared in many films, artworks and books flock to this much-loved 18th-century Baroque masterpiece for a chance to glimpse the stunning detail and sheer beauty it possesses.
The Good Tale of the Fountain
No matter how much you know about this fountain, we can guess that you will know the tradition of coins. Become one of the most popular tourist experiences in all of Rome. The ceremony requires visitors to take a coin, turn away from the fountain, and toss the coin into the fountain over their shoulders. Legend has it that if you drop a coin into the water, it guarantees you will go back to Rome, while two means you will come back and fall in love, and three means you will come back, fall in love and get married. There is also a saying that if you flip a coin: you will go back to Rome. If you flip two coins: you will fall in love with a charming Italian. If you flip three coins: you’ll marry whoever you meet. To achieve the desired effect, you should toss the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder. Whatever you hope for when you flip a coin, try it while traveling in Rome, it’s truly a tourist experience worth checking out!
Some Lesser-Known Facts About the Trevi Fountain in Rome
1. “Trevi” Means “Tre Vie” (Three Ways)
The name “Trevi” means “Tre Vie” and is said to refer to the intersection of three roads on the Crossroads Square. There is also a famous goddess named Trivia. She protects the streets of Rome and has three heads so she can see what’s going on around her. She was always standing on the corner of three streets.
2. The First Trevi Fountain Was Purely Functional
In the Middle Ages, public fountains were purely functional. They provided the people of Rome with fresh drinking water from natural springs, and they brought buckets to the fountain to collect water to take home. The first Trevi fountain was designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1453 at the terminal of the old Aqua Virgo aqueduct. For over a century, this Trevi Fountain has provided Rome’s only supply of pure water.
3. The God of the Sea on this Fountain is not Neptune
The central part of the Trevi Fountain is Oceanus, the Greek god of the sea. Unlike Neptune, who has tridents and dolphins, Oceanus is accompanied by a half-human, half-merman seahorse and Triton. Salvi uses symbolism to visualize an essay on water. The restless horse on the left, the troubled Triton, represents rough seas. Triton, leading the calm steed, is a sea of tranquility. Agrippa, on the left, is plentiful and uses a fallen vase as a source of water, while Virgo, on the right, symbolizes health and water as nourishment.
In the Trevi Fountain, the statue of Oceanus is meticulously sculpted, showing his interaction with the water and embodying its fluidity and change. In contrast, the image of Neptune, focusing more on authority and dominance, may not quite fit the fountain’s theme.
Therefore, the central statue in the Trevi Fountain is Oceanus, rather than Neptune, because Oceanus better represents the vitality of water and the power of nature, aligning with the fountain’s artistic and cultural intent. This choice highlights the fountain’s significance as a symbol of water and life, creating greater visual and symbolic harmony.
4. Differences between Oceanus and Neptune
Mythological Background:
Oceanus: In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, Oceanus is the great god of the sea, representing the source of all oceans and waters. He is usually depicted as a strong male surrounded by aquatic creatures and marine symbols. Oceanus embodies the ancient people’s overall concept of the sea, symbolizing the power of nature and the source of life.
Neptune: Neptune is the Roman god of the sea, equivalent to Poseidon in Greek mythology. He is the ruler of the sea, usually depicted wielding a trident, symbolizing dominion over the ocean. Neptune emphasizes the authority and power of the sea.
Trevi Fountain Design Intent:
Trevi Fountain’s design emphasizes the vitality of water and the beauty of nature, and Oceanus, as a symbol of the ocean, perfectly aligns with this theme. The statues depicts Oceanus harnessing the currents of water, showcasing its dynamism and vitality.
The image of Oceanus aligns better with the overall design concept of the fountain, emphasizing water’s importance as the source of life, rather than merely as a symbol of power.
5. Coins to Appease the Gods (and Builders)
A sip of water is accompanied by a coin into the fountain to ensure not only a quick but safe return to Rome. The ritual dates back to the ancient Romans, who sacrificed a coin in lakes and rivers to appease the gods and help them get home safely. Others claim the tradition stems from early attempts to use crowdfunding to cover maintenance costs.
6. The Trevi Fountain Generates €3000 Per Day
Wikipedia estimates that 3,000 euros are thrown into the wishing well every day. The coins are collected every night and donated to charity, an Italian organization called Caritas. They use it in a supermarket project, providing recharge cards to those in need in Rome to help them buy groceries. An interesting statistic is that about one million euros worth of coins are withdrawn from the fountain every year. The money has been used to support causes since 2007.
7. The Trevi Fountain in Poetry and Film
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about the Marble Faun of the Trevi Fountain. Fountains have featured in films such as “Coins in the Fountain” and “Roman Holiday” starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Probably the most recognizable scene of the Trevi Fountain comes from Dolce Vita with Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni. In fact, the fountain was closed and draped in black crepe in honor of actor Marcello Mastroianni, who died in 1996.
Supplementary Knowledge
What is Baroque Architecture?
Baroque architecture, an architectural style that originated in Italy in the late 16th century, and continued into the 18th century in some regions, notably Germany and colonial South America. It originated in the Counter-Reformation when the Catholic Church launched an overtly emotional and sensual appeal to believers through art and architecture. Complex building floor plan shapes, often based on ellipses and dynamic spaces of opposition and interpenetration, are conducive to enhancing a sense of movement and sensuality.
Other characteristics include grandeur, drama, and contrast (especially when it comes to lighting), curvaceous and often dazzling rich finishes, twisting elements, and gilded statues. The architects unabashedly applied bright colors and an ethereal, vivid ceiling. Prominent Italian practitioners include Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Carlo Maderno, Francesco Borromini and Guarino Guarini. Classical elements toned down the French Baroque architecture.
In Central Europe, the Baroque arrived late but flourished in the work of architects such as Austrian Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. Its influence in England can be seen in the work of Christopher Wren. Late Baroque is often referred to as Rococo, or in Spain and Spanish America, as Churrigueresque.
If you are interested in the Trevi Fountain in Rome, you can also have a Trevi Fountain replica in your home or garden. As a professional marble carving factory, we have reproduced a small-sized Trevi Fountain for many of our clients.
These are Trevi fountains with different designs customized according to our clients’ needs.
If you want to have a large Trevi Fountain, you can contact us at any time. We are factory direct sales, which will guarantee high cost performance and a favorable price.