Where I would rather be today: TREVI FOUNTAIN IN ROME

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The 1954 hit song and movie "Three Coins in the Fountain" brought Rome's Trevi Fountain (Fontana Di Trevi) to the attention of Americans. The film tells the story of three American girls looking for romance in Rome while employed at the American Embassy. They drop coins in the fountain for good luck.

The song received an Academy Award that year and was a No. 1 hit by the Four Aces. Frank Sinatra and Doris Day, among others, recorded popular versions of the song.
We were disappointed to find out that Trevi Fountain is tightly surrounded by buildings so it is difficult to shoot a panorama photo. Close ups of the various statues work best.

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, while the statue on the right represents Salubrity (the quality of promoting good health). Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain.

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.

Vivian did this in 1966 while in college and again in 1971, so it must work. The photos are from our 2004 trip to Rome. It is estimated that 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day.
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Photos by Frank Barning