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Trevi Fountain: myths, legends and some truths too

Me posing? what about the guy behind me? The one made of concrete. He's frequently been confused with Neptune but is in fact the very first Titan (along with his sister). Depicted in a Baroque frame of Art and Legends dominating placid and angry waters of the last functional Ancient Roman aqueduct, built by soldiers who were shown the spring by... a virgin. Rome has it all!! on every corner, every staute, every building! And the Trevi Fountain is non the less, the opposite if anything. Deeply intertwined with the history of ancient Rome and its elaborate network of aqueducts that supplied water to the city. One of the most significant aqueducts associated with the Trevi Fountain is the Aqua Virgo.

 

The Legend of Neptune:

The central figure of the Trevi Fountain is Oceanus, the god of the sea, riding a chariot drawn by seahorses and tritons. This depiction is a tribute to the Roman mythological deity Neptune, who was often associated with water and the sea. Legend has it that Neptune, angered by the scarcity of water in the city, struck the ground with his trident, causing a spring to gush forth, thus providing water to the Aqua Virgo aqueduct. Statues below him symbolize placid and angry waters that he rules over.

 

Aqua Virgo:

The Aqua Virgo, also known as the Acqua Vergine, is one of the oldest aqueducts in Rome, dating back to 19 BC during the reign of Emperor Augustus. Legend has it that the aqueduct was originally commissioned by Roman soldiers led by Agrippa, who discovered a natural spring while searching for water sources outside the city walls. The name "Virgo" is said to derive from a young girl who guided the soldiers to the spring.

 

Connection to the Trevi Fountain:

The Aqua Virgo played a crucial role in supplying water to various parts of ancient Rome, including the area where the Trevi Fountain now stands. The fountain's location is significant because it marks the endpoint of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct. The aqueduct's terminus is believed to have been a monumental fountain built during ancient times, long before the construction of the current Trevi Fountain.

 

Tradition of Tossing Coins:

One of the most famous legends associated with the Trevi Fountain is the tradition of tossing coins into its waters. According to popular belief, if visitors toss a coin over their left shoulder using their right hand into the fountain's waters, they are ensured a return to Rome. This tradition is said to have originated from an ancient custom where people would make offerings to the gods of the aqueducts in exchange for a safe and plentiful water supply.

 

These stories and legends

intertwine the Trevi Fountain with the ancient aqueducts that once supplied water to Rome, adding to the fountain's mystique and allure as a symbol of abundance, prosperity, and the eternal city's enduring legacy.

 

 

Carla's Guides:

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Rome: The Eternal City

 

Trevi Fountain: Step 3

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