Rome’s Trevi Fountain – which has been covered and unflowing for 18 months due to restoration – has now reopened and is more impressive than ever. While it may be Rome’s most famous, it is certainly not the only great fountain in the Eternal City. Here, we list our favourites.
Fontana di Trevi
Stroll down one of the streets leading to the Trevi, and the sudden magnificent appearance of the fountain never fails to take your breath away. A dramatic Baroque masterpiece, it still holds visitors in awe over 250 years after its completion, and has rightly gained worldwide fame for its magnificence.
According to tradition, if you throw a coin into the fountain, a return to Rome is guaranteed. Throw in a second coin, and love will find you on your next visit. A third coin will lead to a Roman marriage. This romantic tradition inspired the 1954 movie Three Coins in the Fountain, and the song of the same name. Elsewhere in cinema, the fountain was featured in an iconic scene from 1960’s La Dolce Vita.
Now beautifully restored, thanks to a 2.2 million Euro donation by the Fendi fashion house, the Trevi is looking better than ever and is certainly worth a visit. To avoid the crowds, visit in the early morning, before returning in the evening to see the atmospheric lighting.
Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
Piazza Navona is undoubtedly one of Rome’s greatest piazzas, and its centre-piece – the Fountain of the Four Rivers – is certainly one of the city’s most wonderful fountains. Unlike the Trevi, this fountain is circular and visitors can see it from nearly all angles. Every viewpoint adds something new.
Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and completed in 1651, the fountain features four figures representing the main rivers from the four continents under Papal control at that time – the Nile (Africa), Ganges (Asia), Danube (Europe) and Rio de la Plata (the Americas). Bernini imbues the figures with life, and the addition of assorted animals brings even further magnificence to the scenes.
The fountain is topped by an ancient obelisk and is strikingly placed in front of the magnificent Baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone. Like the Trevi, this fountain is worth seeing in both the daytime and by night, when the lights and water combine to create beautiful natural effects.
Fontana delle Tartarughe
Hidden away in the unassuming Piazza Mattei, part of the Jewish Ghetto of Rome, is this remarkable little gem of a fountain. Whilst not anywhere near the grand scale of many other fountains in the city, the Turtle Fountain has a charm and elegance all of its own.
The fountain features four young men, resting on dolphins and supporting turtles above them. The turtles are not part of the original design, but were added – possibly by Bernini – in 1659. The understated manner of the fountain, and the peacefulness of its location, add to the beauty that makes it many peoples’ favourite.
The fountain also has a romantic story – according to legend, it was commissioned by Muzio Mattei in order to win over the father of his beloved. The men made a wager, with Mattei claiming he could have the fountain built in just one night. He succeeded – the next morning he showed his new father-in-law the fountain from a window in his house, and then boarded the window up as no better view could ever come from it. A boarded up window overlooking the piazza still exists.
Fontana del Pantheon
With the Pantheon as a backdrop, it’s hard to rival this fountain, situated in the centre of Piazza della Rotonda. At all times, but especially in the evening and night, the atmosphere surrounding the fountain is magical. Musicians play, locals and tourists mingle on the steps, and the magnificent 1st Century Roman masterpiece of the Pantheon overlooks all of it.
Like the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona, the Fountain of the Pantheon is topped by one of Rome’s many obelisks. This one is an Egyptian original, from the reign of Ramesses II, making it over 3000 years old.
When the light starts to dim, rather than take a seat at one of the many over-priced bars surrounding the square, rest yourself on the steps of the fountain and experience the twilight magic of one of Rome’s most beautiful spots.
Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
Most tourists never see this fountain but it’s a favourite of Rome’s locals, partly because of its spectacular location. Situated on the Gianicolo hill, the fountain stands majestically over the city, with beautiful views across Rome’s domes and rooftops.
The Fountain of the Acqua Paola is – like the Trevi Fountain – the grand ending point of an aqueduct, and was part of the inspiration for the Trevi. Completed in 1612, its construction angered many of the city’s residents. The Pope funded much of it by imposing a tax on wine, and demolished the ancient temple of Mars Ultor in order to use the marble.
Nevertheless, it is now a favourite of many Romans, especially on warm summer evenings, and is well worth finding if you want to get off the beaten path and leave the city centre.
Honorable Mentions
Fontana del Tritone – One of Bernini’s Roman fountains, this holds a dramatic position in the middle of Piazza Barberini. A recent restoration has brought it’s splendour back to life.
Fontana delle Naiadi – The Fountain of the Naiads sits in the middle of the busy Piazza della Repubblica. While it is usually surrounded by traffic, the size and power of the fountain is magnificent.
Fontana della Barcaccia – Situated at the foot of the Spanish Steps, the Fountain of the Old Boat is a simple, yet striking, fountain, designed by Pietro Bernini – father of Gian Lorenzo. Beware the crowds during the busy season.
Fontana dell’Acqua Felice – The first monumental wall fountain built in Rome since antiquity, it now stands unassumingly at an intersection in the Quirinal district, close to Termini railway station. Nevertheless, it is still a remarkable piece of work.
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