Ultimate Trevi Fountain Guide: History, Fun Facts & How to Visit
Last Updated on 27th June 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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World renowned for its sheer beauty, the Trevi Fountain is at the top of many traveller to Rome’s bucket lists, and for good reason. Amazingly beautiful, the most famous fountain in Rome dates back to the 18th-century and is a must-see while in the Eternal City. Here’s your ultimate Trevi Fountain guide, as well as travel tips, a history, and fun facts you probably didn’t know about!
Please note that the Trevi Fountain is known as Fontana di Trevi in Italian.
Rome is actually sometimes referred to as the City of Fountains thanks to the number of water features scattered around the city, but none is as impressive nor as famous as that of Trevi, which is located in the Trevi neighbourhood of Rome and stands at an impressive 85 foot high and 160 foot wide.
The easiest way to get around this neighbourhood is on foot and so be sure to wear comfortable shoes when exploring as there are plenty of cobblestones!
Nearby sites of interest include the National Gallery of Ancient Art and the Triton fountain. The Colosseum is Rome’s most visited attraction and is just a twenty minute walk away.
The Trevi Fountain itself is actually on the back side of the Palazzo Poli, a 16th-century constructed palace that was heavily expanded throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.
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History of the Trevi Fountain
In the first half of the 18th-century a design competition was launched by Pope Clement XII to create a fountain on the site of a previous water feature that was demolished during the 17th-century. His predecessor, Pope Urban VIII had considered the previous fountain too dull.
The winner of the competition was Nicola Salvi, who had come up with a design for a beautiful Baroque fountain. Salvi then oversaw construction of the fountain until his death in 1751 when Giuseppe Pannini too over.
The fountain was completed in 1762 and its source is the Aqua Virgo aqueduct, which dates all the way back to 19 BCE and is still in use to this day. Rather interestingly, the fountain is made from the same material as the Colosseum, which is travertine stone (meaning from the River Tiber).
The fountain features characters from Roman mythology which are meant to be an allegory for taming the water (the Romans were renowned for their acqueducts).
Set against the backdrop of a large central arch, there’s a larger than life figure of Oceanus riding on a shell-shaped chariot. Many people might consider that the god at the centre should be Neptune (god of freshwater) but you can the fountain is meant to be sea-themed due to its surrounding elements.
Oceanus himself is pulled by two winged horses who are held by mermen. On Oceanus’ left, there is a statue representing Abundantia, the goddess of abundance, while on his right there is a depiction of Salus, the goddess of health.
Why is the Trevi fountain so famous?
The Trevi Fountain is well-known for a number of reasons, including its sheer size and beauty. Aesthetics aside, it’s a fantastic testament to Roman engineering thanks to the fact that its aqueduct source is over 2000 years old!
The fountain has featured in a number of films over the years. This includes Roman Holiday (1953), Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960), and The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003).
Best time of the day to visit
Truth be told the Trevi Fountain is almost always busy to visit, even at sunrise. We personally woke up before 7 AM to visit the fountain, and even at that time there were already pretty large crowds surrounding the water feature.
I guess if you want to visit with the fewest number of people around, you’ll want to go to the fountain at sunrise!
What if you throw a coin in the Trevi fountain?
While you can’t touch the water of the Trevi Fountain, it’s encouraged to throw a coin in (and was originally popularised following the film Three Coins in the Fountain)! You just have to turn your back to the fountain and toss a coin into the water over your shoulder.
Legend has it that depending on how many coins you throw in will depend on the outcome! If you throw one coin in the fountain, you’ll return to Rome. If you throw two in, then you’ll return to Rome and fall in love. Throw three in and you’ll return to Rome, fall in love, and get married!
If you throw a coin in the fountain you certainly won’t be the first to do so. It’s estimated that around $1.7 million dollars worth of coins are thrown into the fountain each year! This money is donated each year to Rome’s Catholic charity Carita and has been since 2001.
Is it free to see the Trevi Fountain?
Yes, a visit to the Trevi Fountain is completely free, making it one of the best free things to do in Rome. However, if you want to delve deeper into the history of the fountain and its surroundings, then you’ll certainly want to book yourself onto a guided tour of the ancient aqueduct 9 metre below ground. Check price and availability here.
Can you touch the Trevi fountain?
No, it is forbidden to go in the water or even touch it (it’s also worth noting that the water is not potable). There are security guards close by at all times, and the moment someone gets too close they blow a whistle to warn people to step away. You can’t sit on the fountain, put your feet in, or attempt to swim in it. The fine for swimming in the Trevi Fountain is €450!
General tips
Watch out for pickpockets. This is one of the busiest areas of Rome and so you should keep a close eye on your personal belongings at all times. I personally carry a cross body bag with a zip to keep my wallet and passport securely stored.
When I’m in a particularly crowded area, I’ll also cover the top of my bag with my hand. I would also not really advise eating in this area as it’s pretty touristy and so you’ll likely pay higher prices for lower quality food than you would find elsewhere in the city such as in Trastevere or Testaccio. If you’re planning a trip to Rome, then be sure to check out our suggestions for one day in Rome and 3 days in Rome.
What is close to the Trevi Fountain?
The Pantheon: A former Roman temple turned church in the very heart of the city, construction of the building began all the way back in 27 BCE. The Pantheon has been a Catholic church since 609 CE.
Piazza Navona: Beautiful and grand, the Piazza Navona is a large square which is best-known for being the former site of the Stadium of Domitian, which was built in the 1st century CE. Today several highlights include masterpieces by Bernini and Borromini.
Hotel with Trevi Fountain view?
There is one fountain with a direct Trevi Fountain view, but the reviews of it are pretty mixed, with some people claiming to have had bad experiences, not to mention that the hotel is allegedly pretty loud. Other people have said that they enjoyed that there are some rooms with a fountain view. Check prices and availability here.
