Trevi Fountain

The Fontana di Trevi is Rome's largest and most celebrated Baroque fountain, standing 26 metres high and 49 metres wide at the junction of three streets in the Trevi district. Designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762 after 30 years of construction, the fountain is built into the rear wall of Palazzo Poli, creating the effect of a triumphal arch framing an elaborate sculptural composition. The central figure is Neptune, god of the sea, standing in a triumphal chariot drawn by two sea horses — one calm, one agitated — guided by Tritons, representing the sea's dual nature. Water cascades over sculpted rocks into a large basin at street level, supplied by the Aqua Virgo aqueduct that has delivered water to this point since 19 BC. The tradition of throwing a coin over the left shoulder into the fountain — ensuring a return to Rome — is said to generate over €3,000 daily, collected each night by the city and donated to Caritas Roma for charitable programs. The fountain is free and open continuously, but the surrounding Piazza di Trevi becomes extremely crowded between 10 AM and 9 PM in peak season, making photography of the sculpture difficult without dozens of other visitors in frame. Arriving before 7 AM in summer or during heavy rain dramatically reduces crowds. A periodic access fee system has been tested by Rome authorities in recent years to manage congestion, though at the time of writing entry remains free.