Visiting the spectacular TREVI FOUNTAIN of Rome:An architectural masterpiece & an incredible scuplture with one of the oldest functioning water system in the world

On 5/9/22 ,We got an opportunity to visit the world famous ‘Trevi Fountain’ with an amazing architecture.The incredible sculpture took thirty years for completion.The iconic tourist destination is the centre of Rome.The fountain, at the junction of three roads marks the terminal point of the “modern” Acqua Vergine—the revived Aqua Virgo, one of the aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome through the Baths of Agrippa.Turquoise colour of water is due to the marble surface of the fountain.Out of the numerous allegories in the heart of the fountain ,the horses reflect the states of the sea,calm or stormy.Also the statue of God Oceanus looked enchanting amidst the beautiful setting .The two statues of women to the left & right of Oceanus,represent the abundance that water brings.Aqueducts bring more clean water than the Romans will ever need allowing them to grow crops & fruits to enhance their health. Trevi fountain hosts a never ending flow of tourists all the time :very early morning to the late nights.The beautiful spectacle of the fountain will linger long in our memories.We thoroughly enjoyed the stunning fountain sculptures!

THE TREVI FOUNTAIN :
The Trevi Fountain (Italian: Fontana di Trevi) is an 18th-century fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi, Giuseppe Pannini & Allessandro Galilie. Standing 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The fountain has appeared in several films, including Roman Holiday (1953); Three Coins in the Fountain (1954); Federico Fellini’s classic, La Dolce Vita (1960); Sabrina Goes to Rome (1998); and The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003).
History before 1629:
The fountain, at the junction of three roads marks the terminal point of the “modern” Acqua Vergine—the revived Aqua Virgo, one of the aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome. In 19 BC, supposedly with the help of a virgin, Roman technicians located a source of pure water some 13 km from the city. (This scene is presented on the present fountain’s façade.) This Aqua Virgo led the water into the Baths of Agrippa. It served Rome for more than 400 years.
Name origin : The name of the Latin fountain derives from the Latin word Trivium (intersection of three streets). The statue is located right in the center of De ‘Crocicchi Street, Poli Street and Delle Muratte Street.

COMMISSION, CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN :

In 1629, Pope Urban VIII, finding the earlier fountain insufficiently dramatic, asked Gian Lorenzo Bernini to sketch possible renovations, but the project was abandoned when the pope died. Though Bernini’s project was never constructed, there are many Bernini touches in the fountain as it exists today. An early influential model by Pietro da Cortona, preserved in the Albertina, Vienna, also exists, as do various early 18th century sketches, most unsigned, as well as a project attributed to Nicola Michettione attributed to Ferdinando Fuga and a French design by Edmé Bouchardon.

Competitions had become popular during the Baroque era to design buildings, fountains, as well as the Spanish Steps. In 1730, Pope Clement XII organized a contest in which Nicola Salvi initially lost to Alessandro Galilei – but due to the outcry in Rome over a Florentine having won, Salvi was awarded the commission anyway. Work began in 1732. Salvi died in 1751 with his work half finished, but he had made sure a barber’s unsightly sign would not spoil the ensemble, hiding it behind a sculpted vase, called by Romans the asso di coppe, the “Ace of Cups”, because of its resemblance to a Tarot card. Four different sculptors were hired to complete the fountain’s decorations: Pietro Bracci (whose statue of Oceanus sits in the central niche), Filippo della Valle, Giovanni Grossi, and Andrea Bergondi. Giuseppe Pannini (1718-1805), son of Giovanni Paolo Panini, was hired as architect.

The Trevi Fountain was finished in 1762 by Pannini, who substituted the present allegories for planned sculptures of Agrippa and Trivia, the Roman virgin.It was officially opened and inaugurated on 22 May by Pope Clement XIII. Trevi Fountain was painted by G. P. Panini in the 18th century .The majority of the piece is made from Travertine stone, quarried near Tivoli, about 35 kilometres east of Rome.

Iconography:
The backdrop for the fountain is the Palazzo Poli, given a new façade with a giant order of Corinthian pilasters that link the two main storeys.Taming of the waters is the theme of the gigantic scheme that tumbles forward, mixing water and rockwork, and filling the small square. Tritons guide Oceanus’s shell chariot, taming hippocamps.
In the centre, a robustly-modelled triumphal arch is superimposed on the palazzo façade. The centre niche or exedra framing Oceanus has free-standing columns for maximal light and shade. In the niches flanking Oceanus, Abundance spills water from her urn and Salubrity holds a cup from which a snake drinks. Above, bas reliefs illustrate the Roman origin of the aqueducts. The Tritons and horses provide symmetrical balance, with the maximum contrast in their mood and poses.

GOD OCEANUS:The Titan God of the river Oceanos:

In Greek mythology, Oceanus was a Titan son of Uranus and Gaia, the husband of his sister the Titan Tethys, and the father of the river gods and the Oceanids, as well as being the great river which encircled the entire world.
Coin throwing:
Coins are purportedly meant to be thrown using the right hand over the left shoulder.There are some religious faiths attached to the practice.As per legend those who throw the coin will return to Rome. This was the theme of 1954’s ‘Three Coins in the Fountain‘ and the Academy Award-winning song by that name which introduced the picture. An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket -a noble service for Rome’s needy people.Every week the muncipality cleans the fountain and donates a large amount of the collected coins to a charity which helps the needy.

My dear readers may kindly point out any incorrect information in my above writeup needing any corrections! I am truly indebted to Wikipedia & for the invaluable information on the subject !Happy Reading !