A masterpiece of Late Baroque, the Trevi Fountain is undoubtedly one of Rome’s most famous sights. It was designed by the architect Nicola Salvi, who won the tender posted by Pope Clement XII (1730-1740) in 1731. The sculptures, however, were made by a group of a dozen artists who included Pietro Bracci and Filippo della Valle. Although the commemorative plaque records the year of completion of the work as 1735, the inauguration was held on 22 May 1762. Some believe that the name Trevi refers to the water source of Trebium joined to the Aqueduct Vergine in the 12th century, while others hold that it derives from the three-way junction (treio) at the end point of the water’s travels. In 1640, Pope Urban VIII (1623-1644) commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to design a plan to transform the small three-way junction into a square, which would have removed several buildings and replaced the simple 15th century fountain (already modified several times) with something more spectacular. However, Bernini’s project, like those of later architects, was never executed.
The present 18th century composition is dominated by a rocky cliff. Against an architectural background featuring Corinthian columns and niches, are representations of Neptune, Abundance and Health and numerous other allegorical images. On the right edge is a sculptured vase known locally as the Ace of Cups traditionally believed to have been built by Nicola Salvi to block the view of the barber whose shop faced the fountain, following a dispute.
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