Fontana di Trevi

The Trevi Fountain is the largest and most celebrated baroque fountain in Rome, a wall of sculpted travertine and rushing water that fills an entire small piazza. Designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762 after his death, it forms the theatrical facade of Palazzo Poli: the sea god Oceanus rides a shell chariot drawn by winged horses and tritons, flanked by allegories of Abundance and Health.

The fountain marks the terminal point of the Aqua Virgo, the aqueduct Agrippa built in 19 BC to supply his baths, and the same ancient channel still feeds it today. Its name comes from the meeting of three roads, tre vie, at this spot. Cinema made it immortal: Anita Ekberg's wade through the water in Fellini's La Dolce Vita is one of the most famous scenes in film history, though wading today carries a hefty fine.

The coin ritual is taken seriously: toss one coin with your right hand over your left shoulder and legend promises your return to Rome. Thousands of euros land in the basin every day, and the city collects the money for charity. The piazza is small and the fountain draws constant crowds, so timing is everything: come before 8 in the morning or late at night, when the sculpted marble is floodlit and the square finally quietens.

The fountain hides in the lattice of lanes between Via del Corso and the Quirinal Hill; the nearest metro stop is Barberini on Line A, about ten minutes on foot. It pairs naturally with the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and Via del Corso, all within an easy walk.

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