The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an
aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from
the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome) and supplies the
fountains in the historic center of Rome with water Construction
of the Fountain In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola
Salvi to create a large fountain at the Trevi Square. A previous
undertaking to build the fountain after a design by Bernini was
halted a century earlier after the death of Pope Urban VIII.
Salvi based his theatrical masterpiece on this design.
Construction of the monumental baroque fountain was finally
completed in 1762. The central figure of the fountain, in front
of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a
chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each
sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and
obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating
moods of the sea. On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue
representing Abundance, th