Trevi Fountain, Rome

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"One of the most if not the most emblematic symbols of laica Rome is the fountain of Trevi. It has been photograph by millions and I am sure plenty here in VT. I came early to avoid the crowd and saw the cleaning of the fountain and collection of coins by the municipal workers. 

Then came back in the afternoon to see the fountain filled with water. Both times, there were hordes of people waiting around it, like a magnet. 

Its really a small place the facade of a building and the fountain is not really big by my standards but its beautifically architecturally stunning, and worth the visit. A bit of history 

A fountain was built in 19 BC by Marco Vipsiano Agrippa, she brought the Virgin water to supply the baths he built the pantheon.The water was described as Virgin in tribute to a girl that would have indicated the source a to the thirsty soldiers. In 1453 Pope Nicola V built the fountain of Battista Alberti in the district "of Trejo", which became "Trevi".The fountain was important for the city which was used to have spring water after using water from the Tiber River for centuries.

Three centuries later, Pope Clement XII decided to transform it by organizing a contest where he invited the best artists of the time.The challenge was to adorn Rome of a grandiose work and provide him with much of its drinking water. Among the sketches, that of the Roman Nicolò Bianco was chosen. The construction of the fountain lasted 23 years.The triumphal arch is surmounted by a penthouse on which dominate the arms of Pope Clement XII. In the centre, on a rocky base, the statue of the Ocean is on a shell cart dragged by two sea horses guided by tritons.The horses represent the sea rough and calm.The two statues alongside Ocean represent health and prosperity, referring to the beneficial effects of pure water.The bas-reliefs that dominate recall the project of the aqueduct of Agrippa and the legend of the Virgin that indicate the source to the Romans".

Reference:

Gwened. "Trevi Fountain, Rome." VirtualTourist.com. Virtual Tourist, 26 Aug. 2013. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. <http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Rome-144659/Things_To_Do-Rome-Trevi_Fountain-BR-1.html>.