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"Piazza Di Spagna To The Quirinale"

Rome Tourist Guide Routes  

Fontana di Trevi

The enormous Fontana di Trevi is probably the most famous fountain in the world, which makes its location twice as surprising. You somehow expect it to occupy a more majestic space instead of a tiny little square nestled amidst a maze of equally tiny streets. The labyrinthine nature of the streets also seems to muffle the fountain's waterfall, which isn't audible until you step into the square - adding yet another element of surprise to discovering this Roman landmark.  

The Fontana di Trevi became an icon in 1959 when Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni took their infamous dip in the fountain in Federico Fellini's masterpiece La Dolce Vita. The scene took the world by storm, inspiring thousands to try their hand at imitating the couple. One word of sound advice – bathing in the fountain is highly discouraged. The floor of the fountain has sensors that are connected with the nearby police station. If the carabinieri detect as much as a foot in the water, an alarm is set off and a police unit will sweep into the square and present you with the appropriately steep fine. Therefore, it is safer and cheaper to practice a different Roman tradition instead – tossing two coins into the fountain. The first coin ensures your return to the eternal city, and the second promises to make you fall in love whilst in Rome. And remember to turn your back to the fountain as you toss the coins over your shoulder – otherwise the wishes won't come true. If you are wondering what eventually happens to all of the coins, you can rest assured that you are not the only one benefiting from your generosity. The city council collects the coins every so often and donates the money to a number of charitable institutions in the city.

The fountain was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and represents Neptune's carriage drawn by two sea horses and two tritons. Although the fountain has been photographed and reproduced in countless images, no picture comes close to the experience of seeing the real thing. However, you shouldn't expect a quiet, serene atmosphere in which to admire this spectacular piece. Be prepared for throngs of tourists and a constant stream of street vendors selling every imaginable knickknack, street performers dressed as ancient Romans and spontaneous photographers trying to sell you Polaroid pictures of yourself for 5 € a piece. In short, a dizzying whirl of activity that might seem a tad overwhelming at first but is, in its own way, quintessentially Roman.