Sunday, July 12, 2009

Manic Monday - fountain



Mo's word for Manic Monday is FOUNTAIN.

Photobucket

The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. This impressive monument dominates the small Trevi square located in the Quirinale district.

Trevi Fountain

Aqua Virgo
Trevi Fountain

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

The Restive Sea Horse, Trevi Fountain
The restive sea horse

masterpiece on this design. Construction of the monumental baroque fountain was finally completed in 1762.

The Fountain
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, the statue

Trevi Fountain
The crowded square

on the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the girl after whom the aqueduct was named.

Tossing a Coin
The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.

What does the Trevi look like from above? Click here

Go on over to Mo's to see other participants.

4 comments:

Rinkly Rimes said...

Maybe mine isn't as grand but it has an interesting history.

http://rinklyrimes.blogspot.com/2009/07/twin-fountains.html

Anonymous said...

Fountains are one of my favorite things to see. Great photos :) Happy MM

Travis Cody said...

Very cool! I knew a little of that history but not all of it. And I like the overhead view.

And may I also add that I love the background you've got on your blog.

Durward Discussion said...

Ah we both did Trevi. Yours is much better as I was rushing.