Did you know?
The Trevi
Fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo,
an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all
the way from the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome)
and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome
with water.
In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola Salvi to
create a large fountain at the Trevi Square. A previous
undertaking to build the fountain after a design by Bernini
was halted a century earlier after the death of Pope Urban
VIII.
Salvi based his theatrical masterpiece on this design.
Construction of the monumental baroque fountain was finally
completed in 1762.
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 symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.
italiano
english
