Trevi Fountain: Where History Meets Tradition

The Trevi Fountain, also called the “Fontana di Trevi” in Italian, has a long history that goes back to before the 17th century, and it is recognized as the most famous fountain globally. The name “Trevi” is a combination of two Italian words, “tre,” meaning “three,” and “vie,” meaning “roads,” which refers to the location where the fountain was constructed, at the junction of Rome’s three principal streets.

Initially, the Trevi Fountain had a simple design that focused more on practicality than aesthetics. It served as Rome’s primary source of clean drinking water from an aqueduct. However, over time, the fountain underwent a Baroque transformation, courtesy of a commission by Pope Urban VIII. One of Italy’s most prominent sculptors, Bernini, was contracted to redesign and renovate the fountain. Bernini was also famous for his works, such as “The Ecstasy of St. Teresa” and “The Chair of St. Peter,” among others.

The Trevi Fountain: A Tradition of Coin Tossing Explained

The Trevi Fountain is a famous landmark in Rome with a long-standing tradition of tossing coins into its waters. According to local legend, there are three reasons why people toss coins into the fountain. While each reason is distinct, they all share the common belief that tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain will bring about good luck.

The first reason, and perhaps the most popular, is that tossing a coin into the fountain will guarantee your return to Rome someday. This tradition has been upheld for centuries and is widely known among locals and tourists alike.

The second reason for tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain is to find love or romance while in Rome. This lesser-known belief suggests that throwing two coins into the fountain will help you find a romantic partner during your stay in Rome.

The third reason for tossing coins into the fountain is to ensure a happy marriage in the future. According to this tradition, throwing a third coin into the Trevi Fountain after courting an Italian in Rome will lead to a blissful marriage.

It’s important to note that each wish requires its own coin. So, if you believe in the legend and want to find love and get married in Rome, you’ll need to throw three coins into the Trevi Fountain.

It’s worth mentioning that while the belief in this legend is widespread, the success of the wishes is only guaranteed if you know the proper way to toss the coin. Nevertheless, many people from all over the world continue to toss their coins into the Trevi Fountain, hoping for good luck and a chance to fulfill their wishes.

The Timeless Tradition of Tossing Coins into the Trevi Fountain

For centuries, people have been following a particular tradition, folklore, and historical practice of tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain. The good news is that this practice has remained unchanged, and you can still participate in it today. To perform a proper coin toss into the Trevi Fountain, you must use your right hand to throw the coin over your left shoulder. It’s also essential to note that if you plan to toss more than one coin, each one must be thrown separately, not all at once. This means that you need to toss three individual coins, one at a time, with your right hand over your left shoulder, if you want to follow the tradition of getting married in Rome after falling in love with a native. With these simple steps, you can take part in the timeless tradition of tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain while being respectful of its history and significance.

The Trevi Fountain’s Coin Tossing Tradition: A Source of Revenue for Rome

Although some people believe that tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Italy can make their wishes come true, the fact remains that the city of Rome has greatly benefited from this tradition. Every day, an estimated 3,000 euros (equivalent to around $3,600 USD) are thrown into the fountain, contributing to the city’s revenue. Despite the lack of evidence that the coin tosses actually fulfill wishes, the tradition remains popular among visitors, and continues to bring economic benefits to Rome.

Bernini’s largest project ever, the Trevi, stands at 85 feet tall and 65 feet wide, attracting tourists and locals alike as a monumental Italian fountain. Generating around 1,250,000 euros each year (equivalent to approximately $1.5 million U.S. dollars), the Trevi has been a tempting target for thieves throughout history, but their attempts have generally been unsuccessful.

The funds raised from visitors who toss coins into the Trevi as they pray for a future return to Rome are used by the city to maintain a market that provides food and necessities for the area’s most impoverished residents.

Our tours of Italy offer the flexibility to enjoy the Trevi Fountain and the nearby vicinity in your preferred way, whether you want to indulge in la dolce vita or explore the city on foot.