The Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome, standing about 26 meters (85 feet) tall and 49 meters (161 feet) wide. Designed by architect Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762, it is fed by the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct and famous for its coin-tossing tradition, which collects roughly €1.4 million each year, all donated to charity.
Introduction
The Trevi Fountain is the most celebrated fountain in the world and the crowning glory of Roman Baroque architecture. Set into the side of the Palazzo Poli in the heart of Rome, it dominates the small Piazza di Trevi, where the sound of rushing water and the glow of travertine stone draw millions of visitors every year. At roughly 26 meters tall and 49 meters wide, it is the largest fountain in the city.
Completed in 1762 after three decades of construction, the fountain marks the terminal point of the Aqua Virgo, one of the aqueducts built in ancient Rome. Its dramatic sculptural scene, its association with romance and good fortune, and its unforgettable cameo in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita have made the Trevi Fountain a symbol of Rome itself.
History & Origins
The story of the Trevi Fountain begins in 19 BC, when the Roman general Agrippa commissioned the Aqua Virgo aqueduct to bring fresh water to the city's baths. According to legend, a young girl (virgo) showed thirsty Roman soldiers the source of the spring, giving the aqueduct its name. This same water still feeds the fountain today.
A fountain has marked the end of the aqueduct since the Renaissance, but the monument we see now dates from the 18th century. Pope Clement XII launched a competition in 1730 to redesign it, and the commission ultimately went to Nicola Salvi in 1732. Construction dragged on for 30 years, and Salvi died in 1751 without seeing his masterpiece finished. The sculptor Giuseppe Pannini completed the work, and the fountain was formally inaugurated in 1762.
- Water source: The Aqua Virgo aqueduct, commissioned in 19 BC
- Competition launched: 1730, by Pope Clement XII
- Architect: Nicola Salvi (design won in 1732)
- Completed: 1762, by Giuseppe Pannini after Salvi's death
Architecture & Design
The Trevi Fountain is a triumph of the Baroque style, blending architecture and sculpture into a single theatrical composition. The fountain is built against the rear facade of the Palazzo Poli, so that the building itself becomes a monumental backdrop framed by giant Corinthian columns and a triumphal-arch structure. The theme of the entire work is the "taming of the waters."
At the center stands the powerful figure of Oceanus, god of all water, riding a shell-shaped chariot pulled by two winged sea horses. Each horse is led by a Triton: one horse is calm and one is wild, representing the changing moods of the sea. Flanking niches contain statues of Abundance and Health, and above them, relief panels depict the origins of the aqueduct.
Key design elements
- Central figure: Oceanus on a shell chariot pulled by sea horses
- Tritons and horses: One calm and one restless, symbolizing the sea's moods
- Side statues: Allegories of Abundance and Health (Salubrity)
- Material: Travertine stone from Tivoli, with Carrara marble figures
- Backdrop: The rear facade of the Palazzo Poli
Dimensions & Key Facts
The scale of the Trevi Fountain is part of what makes it so overwhelming to see in person, especially given the tightly enclosed piazza that surrounds it. Here are the essential figures:
- Height: Approximately 26 meters (85 feet)
- Width: Approximately 49 meters (161 feet)
- Status: The largest Baroque fountain in Rome
- Water flow: Roughly 80,000 cubic meters of water circulate daily (the water is now recycled)
- Coins collected: About €1.4 million tossed in each year
The fountain's water no longer comes purely from the ancient spring for drinking; today the display water is filtered and recirculated. A major restoration funded by the fashion house Fendi in 2014–2015 cleaned the stone, repaired cracks, and installed new lighting, ensuring the monument survives for future generations.
The Coin-Tossing Tradition
No custom is more closely associated with the Trevi Fountain than the tossing of coins. According to tradition, a visitor should stand with their back to the fountain and throw a coin over their left shoulder with their right hand. The legend holds that one coin guarantees a return to Rome, two coins bring new romance, and three coins lead to marriage.
The tradition has become remarkably lucrative for charity. An estimated €1.4 million is collected from the fountain each year. The coins are gathered regularly and donated to Caritas, a Catholic charity that uses the funds to run a supermarket program and other services for the poor of Rome. It is illegal to steal coins from the fountain.
- How to toss: Back to the fountain, over the left shoulder with the right hand
- One coin: A guaranteed return to Rome
- Annual total: Roughly €1.4 million
- Beneficiary: The Caritas charity, aiding Rome's needy
Cultural Significance
The Trevi Fountain occupies a special place in popular culture. Its most famous screen moment came in Fellini's 1960 film La Dolce Vita, when actress Anita Ekberg waded into the water in an evening gown, a scene that cemented the fountain's romantic mystique for the world. It has appeared in countless other films, from Roman Holiday to Three Coins in the Fountain.
Beyond cinema, the fountain represents the enduring genius of Roman engineering and Baroque artistry. That water first channeled by Agrippa's engineers over two thousand years ago still tumbles across Salvi's sculpted rocks is a living link between ancient and modern Rome.
Visiting Today
The Trevi Fountain is free to visit and open at all hours, tucked into a maze of narrow streets a short walk from the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps. It is spectacular at any time, but visiting early in the morning or late at night helps you avoid the densest crowds, and the illuminated fountain after dark is unforgettable.
- Location: Piazza di Trevi, in the Trevi district of central Rome
- Cost: Free to view
- Best time: Early morning or late evening to avoid crowds
- Nearby: The Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Quirinal Palace
- Rules: Swimming, wading, and removing coins are strictly prohibited
People Also Ask
How old is the Trevi Fountain?
The current fountain was completed in 1762, making it over 260 years old. However, its water source, the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, dates back to 19 BC.
Who designed the Trevi Fountain?
The architect Nicola Salvi designed it after winning a papal competition in 1732. He died in 1751, and Giuseppe Pannini finished the work.
How much money is in the Trevi Fountain?
About €1.4 million in coins is tossed into the fountain each year. The coins are collected and donated to the Catholic charity Caritas.
Final Thoughts
The Trevi Fountain is far more than a beautiful backdrop for photographs. It is a monument to two thousand years of Roman water engineering, a masterpiece of Baroque sculpture, and a place where millions come each year to make a wish and dream of returning. Standing before Oceanus and his rushing waters, it is easy to understand why the Trevi Fountain remains the most beloved fountain on Earth.