ATTRACTIONS
Five things you may not know about the Trevi Fountain in Rome
The Trevi Fountain is the largest of Rome's famous fountains, built on the façade of Palazzo Poli by architect Nicola Salvi. Begun in 1732, the famous fountain was inaugurated more than 30 years later, in 1762.
Over the centuries it became an obligatory stop for all tourists and others passing through the capital. Its popularity grew to such an extent that, today, it is not only probably the most famous fountain in the world, but also one of the most visited tourist attractions.
Famous for the tradition of throwing coins into the fountain as a symbol of good luck, there are various stories about how this custom began. Also widely used by filmmakers, video games and music clips, there are many curious things and facts revolving around this undisputed symbol of Rome, to be placed practically on the same level as the Colosseum, the Imperial Forum and the other wonders of Rome.
Di NikonZ7II - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11523014
Five curiosities that not everyone knows about the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is the largest of Rome's famous fountains, built on the façade of Palazzo Poli by architect Nicola Salvi. Begun in 1732, the famous fountain was inaugurated more than 30 years later, in 1762. Over the centuries it became an obligatory stop for all tourists and others passing through the capital. Its popularity grew to such an extent that, today, it is not only probably the most famous fountain in the world, but also one of the most visited tourist attractions. Famous for the tradition of throwing coins into the fountain as a symbol of good luck, there are various stories about how this custom began. Also widely used by filmmakers, video games and music clips, there are many curious things and facts revolving around this undisputed symbol of Rome, to be placed practically on the same level as the Colosseum, the Imperial Forum and the other wonders of Rome.
Why is it called the Trevi fountain
There are various hypotheses about the name. The first is that the name 'Trevi' came from 'Trebium', the place of origin near the Tiburtina. The second hypothesis says that Trevi comes from 'trivio', the crossroads of the three roads Collatina, Prenestina and Tiburtina, from which water flows. The third hypothesis refers to Iuturna, the nymph invoked during droughts and who had a temple called 'Trevi'.
The coin toss
According to tradition, throwing a coin into the Trevi fountain, with one's back turned towards the Palazzo Poli, would guarantee a future happy return to Rome. The introduction of the coin toss into the Trevi fountain is attributed to the German archaeologist Wolfgang Helbig who stayed in Rome for a long time between the 19th and 20th century. Throwing two coins would guarantee love with a Roman person, while three coins would guarantee marriage with the same person.
To whom the money from the Trevi fountain goes
The Municipality of Rome has decided, since 2006, that all the coins that are collected from the fountain (which, on balance, amount to a nest egg of around €3,000 per day) are to be given to the capital's Caritas (i.e. a Christian association that cares for the poor and needy). However, this does not stop criminals from trying to retrieve the coins at night, in an unauthorised manner, which is illegal and punishable by law.
A belief about fountain water
In a second tradition, when water was still being drawn from the fountain for drinking (for centuries people drank water from the fountain, as it was considered better than all others as it was not very calcareous. Today it is only used for irrigation and other fountains), women would make men who were leaving, perhaps for war or a long journey, drink a glass of it. Glasses that they would then break as a sign of good luck and fidelity.
Youtube Frame/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_hfZoe9FHE
The fountain could not be ignored by the cinema
Obviously, with the birth of Neo-realism and the explosion of Italian cinema, the Trevi fountain became one of the most filmed locations in Rome and perhaps in Western cinematography. One of the world-famous masterpieces of this film season is Federico Fellini's 1960 film 'La dolce vita', in which the beautiful Anita Ekberg dives into the fountain, inviting Marcello Mastroianni to do the same.
Travel without booking
30/09/2023
In the desert of Karakum, in Turkmenistan, there is a huge gaseous crater known as the Gate of Hell, which is presumed to have been burning, without ever stopping, since 1971.
The crater was formed following the collapse of a natural gas cave and the name Gate of Hell was given to it by the local population, who live in the nearby village of Derweze. The name is associated with the fact that inside the crater, with a diameter of about 70 meters and a depth of 20, there is constantly fire, flames and boiling mud. At night, flames are visible even several kilometers away.
According to the local population, the Gate of Hell is a supernatural phenomenon. The explorer George Kourounis managed to take some soil samples inside the crater and from the analysis would have discovered the presence of bacteria that survived despite the high temperatures and present are inside the crater and not in the surrounding terrain.
Villages
28/09/2023
Barcelona is a kaleidoscope of art, culture and natural beauty. Start with the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's masterpiece, still under construction, and the Parc Güell, with its colourful and imaginative sculptures.
The Barri Gòtic, the historical heart of the city, fascinates with its alleys and squares.
Don't miss La Boqueria market, a gourmet's paradise, and Casa Batlló, another Gaudí jewel. Montjuïc offers breathtaking views and the Parc de la Ciutadella is perfect for a relaxing break.
Luxury shopping and modernist architecture await you at Passeig de Gràcia.
Enjoy the beach at Barceloneta and admire Picasso's art at the museum dedicated to the famous painter.