The
Trevi fountain is the most famous of all the fountains in Rome attracting
most first time visitors as a 'must see'.
It is situated in the heart of the city centre, crammed in among a
maze of narrow streets and alleys. All of a sudden you round a corner
and it is there, right in front of you. There are a few rows of barriers/steps,
stadium style around the fountain for spectators.
The Trevi fountain is at the end of an aqueduct constructed in 19
BC to bring water to Rome from around 20kms away that supplies the
fountains in the historic centre of Rome with water.
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Trevi
Fountain |
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The
current Trevi fountain was designed as a large basin in a semicircular
shape sunk slightly below pavement level. This creates a natural
amphitheatre for visitors. Although there is always a crowd hanging
around, its normally good natured and you should get a good vantage
point.
The fountain has had several versions. It took three centuries to
complete and is often attributed to Bernini, but for the most part
it is the work of the Roman architect, Nicola Salvi.
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Trevi Fountain Coins |
The
central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune,
god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled
by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the
horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolise
the fluctuating moods of the sea.
On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance,
the statue on the right represents Salubrity.
The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend
has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water.
You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.
Approximately €2000 is thrown into the Trevi Fountain each week
and the coins are collected at night, and used to subsidise a supermarket
for Rome's poor population. |
Places
Around The Trevi Fountain
The
Trevi Fountain is right in the heart of old city centre. Walk in any
direction and you will find things of interest.
The classic tourist option is to twin the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain
and Pantheon together in an easy walk. The Trevi Fountain is in the
middle, the Pantheon to the south - west and the Spanish Steps to
the east. The way is sporadically signposted, but a good map is recommended.
This walk is so full of interest that getting lost in the maze of
narrow streets and alleys is almost a bonus. |
Getting
to the Trevi Fountain
The
Trevi Fountain is in the heart of the city centre and is best approached
by foot from another attraction, possibly the Pantheon or the Spanish
Steps. Spagana is the nearest Metro station, that is adjacent to the
Spanish Steps
Rome city buses
do stop quite close by at Piazza San Silvesto |
There
are a myriad of Rome
hop on, hop off bus operators, all of which will not stop at the
Trevi Fountain itself as the buses are too large, but will stop within
a 10 minute walk.
All the operators use very similar double deck open top buses.
Each passenger will get a disposable audio device for commentary along
the way with a choice of at minimum 8 languages. Most buses have their
first bus departing Termini at 08:30 or 09:00 with the last bus leaving
at 18:00, finishing around 20:00.
|
Typical
Rome Hop On, Hop Off Tour Bus |
| Rome
Guided Sightseeing Tours |
| Title |
Main
Places Visited |
Adult |
Comments |
| Vatican
Museums & St Peter's |
Vatican
Museums
St Peter's Basilica |
€52 |
Walking
tour, no transfers
Not Wednesdays & Sundays |
| Vatican
Museums |
Vatican
Museums |
€58 |
Walking
tour, transfers inc
Not Sundays |
| Vatican
Museums (Private) |
Vatican
Museums
St Peter's Basilica |
var |
Personal
guide for your group. Not Sundays |
| St
Peter's Basilica |
St
Peter's Basilica |
€52 |
Walking
tour, no transfers
Mon, Thur Fri |
| Audience
with Pope |
St
Peter's |
€36 |
Wednesday
only |
| Classical
Rome Morning Tour |
Trevi
Fountain,
Pantheon, St Peter's |
€36 |
Walking
coach/tour
transfers inc, Daily. |
| Ancient
Rome |
Trevi,
Pantheon, Colosseum, Forum |
€27 |
Walking
tour, no transfers
Daily. Admissions not inc. |
| Colosseum
& Roman Forum |
Colosseum,
Forum
Palatine Hill |
€49 |
Walking
tour.
Nno transfers inc. Daily |
| Colosseum/Rom
Forum- Private |
Colosseum,
Forum
Palatine Hill |
var |
Personal
guide for your group. Daily |
| Become
a Gladiator |
n/a |
var |
2
hour lesson at gladiator school - Daily |
| Rome
Segway Tour |
Colosseum,
Forum
Circus Maximus + others |
€75 |
Segway
personal transpor.
Daily - No children |
| Rome
Catacombs |
Capuchin
Crypt
Domitilla Catacombs |
€54 |
Walking
tour, no transfers
Mon, Wed, Sat, Sun p.m. |
| Appian
Way & Catacombs |
Santa
Maria Maggiore
Appian Way, Catacombs |
€45 |
Daily
tour by coach |
| Rome
by Night (Coach) |
All
main sights and more |
€41 |
Daily
tour by coach |
| Rome
by Night (Walking) |
Capitoline
Hill, Trevi, Pantheon, Colosseum |
€27 |
Runs
April to October
Daily @ 18:30, not Sundays |
 |
