The Trevi Fountain, Fontana di Trevi, in Italian, is in Rome’s Trevi district on the side of the Piazza Poli. Its named is derived from the words tre vie which means 3 roads and represents the 3 roads that converge where the fountain currently sits.
The idea of the fountain was first conceived by Pietro da Cortona and Bernini but due to the death of Pope Urban VIII, the fountain was not completed until 100 years later when Clement XI held a design competition in which Nicola Salvi won. The fountain was then completed between 1732-1762. Nicola Salvi died in 1751 and the original plans for the fountain were altered and the project was completed by Giuseppe Pannini. It was restored for the first time in 1989-1991. It recently underwent another almost 2-year restoration and was reopened in November 2015.
The fountain is supplied by an aqueduct that was constructed in 19 B.C.E and was restored in 1570 by Pius V. This aqueduct is almost completely underground in the city of Rome. At one point the water from the Trevi Fountain was considered the softest and best tasting and was transported in buckets weekly to the Vatican. However, it is now nonpotable water.
The fountain is 85 feet tall and 160 feet wide. At the center is a statue of Oceanus, who stands on a chariot pulled by sea horses accompanied by tritons. There are two more statues, to the right Salubrity or health symbolized by the laurel wreath around her head and a snake around her legs and to the left Abundance represented by the basket of fruit she is holding.
The superstition surrounding the Trevi Fountain is if you throw a coin with your right hand, over your left shoulder you are guaranteed to return to Rome one day. If you throw a second, it means you will fall in love and return to Rome. The fountain is closed weekly and all the coins, some 3000 euros a day, are collected and donated to an Italian charity.