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The fountain was designed to show off
the acqueduct of the Acqua Vergine built by Marco Vipsiano
Agrippa in 19 b.C. to supply water to the thermal baths
which he built close to the Pantheon.
The water was named Vergin after the
legend telling of a young girl who showed the original
spring to a group of thirsty Roman soldiers. The first
fountain to take the waters of the Acqua Vergine was
built in 1453 for pope Nicholas V, designed by Giovan
Battista Alberti in the spot called "of the Trejo"
and through the years it took the name of Trevi.
The fountain marked an important turn
point for the town which for centuries had to use water
taken from the Tiber river. Three centuries later pope
Clement XII decided to substitute the old fountain and
instigated a competition amongst the best sculptors
of his time to come up with something better. His aim
was that to supply Rome with as much drinking water
as possible and at the same time to give to the city
a grandiose work of art.
Among the sketches was chosen that
of the Roman Nicolò Salvi. The construction of
the fountain lasted 23 years and it forms the east wing
of the Poli Palace. It was modelled on the ancient arch
of triumph crowned by the coat of arms of Clement XII.
The figure of Ocean (Neptune) dominates proceeding,
supported by tritons to either side; the one on the
left struggling to control his horse represents a stormy
sea, his partner on the right, blowing into a counch
shell, symbolises the ocean in repose.
The statues in niches either side of
Neptune are allegories of Health and Abundance, overseen
by figures on the pediment who represent the four seasons.
The relief on the fountain to the right of Oceanus illustrates
the story of the Vergin which shows the spring to the
Roman soldiers. On the other side Agrippa shows his
project to the emperor. Into the basin, which represents
the sea, tourists throw a coin to ensure their return
to Rome. Another romantic rite is linked to the small
fountain to the left side, called "small fountain
of the lovers". According to the legend the couples
who drink at its water will be faithful for ever
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