THREE COINS IN A FOUNTAIN

[Photo: Fontana di Trevi. Trevi Fountain. Rome]

The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and the most beautiful in the world (TreviFountain.net). The flamboyant baroque ensemble was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and depicts Neptune's chariot being led by Tritons with sea horses – one wild, one docile – representing the moods of the sea (Lonely Planet). Trevi derives from the old name for the area, which was originally called Trebium (ItalyGuides.it). But Lonely Planet claims that Trevi refers to the three roads (tre vie) that converge at the fountain.

By tradition visitors throw a coin over their shoulders into the fountain. It is believed to guarantee their return to Rome. An estimated 3,000 Euros in coins are thrown into the fountain every day (ItalyGuides.it). These coins are collected and given to charity.

When my niece went to Rome on a European tour, I accompanied her to Trevi. (I was in Rome for studies.) While she was preparing to perform the required ritual of throwing a coin, I felt a coin fall on my head. Either the tourist was too far away or he/she did not throw it far enough. I did not bother to look for the culprit.

The practice of throwing a coin is behind the song “Three Coins in a Fountain”. In the song, however, one throws a coin while making a wish and has nothing to do with a return to Rome. In the romance film of the same title, the three stars perform the act of throwing a coin while making a wish.

Two other films made use of the Trevi Fountain as a setting: "Roman holiday" and "La dolce vita". The latter was Federico Fellini's satirical portrait of Rome in the 1950s. (Rome.Info)

During my stay in Rome, someone vandalized the fountain. One news source said that someone threw dye that turned the water of the fountain red. Another news source said it was paint. What I know at that time was that it was done in connection with a sciopero (strike) called by a union. Another interesting thing. In the beginning the baseball-capped culprit was branded a vandal. Later on he was called an artist. A news source reported: “As soon as it was clear that the 18th Century baroque fountain had not been seriously damaged, intellectuals and art critics began reconsidering the gesture as something nearing genius.”

The authorities drained the fountain and by the following day it was its old self, ready to receive the coins that tourists were sure to throw.