The water in the Trevi Fountain has been flowing since 19 BC. Not metaphorically — LITERALLY. The Aqua Virgo aqueduct, built by Marcus Agrippa to supply the Baths of Agrippa (Rome's first public thermal baths), still feeds the fountain with 80,000 cubic meters of water per day from springs 21km east of Rome. The fountain you see — Nicola Salvi's Baroque masterpiece completed in 1762 — is the terminus of an aqueduct older than Christianity. When you throw your coin over your shoulder, you're making a wish into water that Roman emperors bathed in. Secret spots →
Plan my Trevi visit →Marcus Agrippa built the Aqua Virgo in 19 BC to supply his new thermal baths near the Pantheon. The name "Virgo" (virgin) comes from the legend that a young girl (virgo) showed thirsty Roman soldiers the location of the spring source. The aqueduct runs 21km from springs near Salone (east of Rome), mostly underground, and terminates at the junction of three roads (tre vie — hence "Trevi"). For 2,000 years, this water has never stopped flowing. The aqueduct was damaged by the Goths in 537 AD, repaired, damaged again, repaired again — but the water kept coming. Vicus Caprarius (near the fountain, €3) shows the underground remains of an ancient building where the Aqua Virgo water still runs through 2,000-year-old channels.
Pope Clement XII commissioned the fountain in 1629. Nicola Salvi won the design competition. Construction began in 1732. Salvi died in 1751 before completion — Giuseppe Pannini finished it in 1762. The design: Neptune (god of the sea) stands on a chariot-shell pulled by two sea horses — one calm, one agitated — representing the two moods of the sea. The water cascades over artificial rocks into a vast basin built against the facade of Palazzo Poli. The total effect: an entire palace facade transformed into a theatrical waterfall. It's the largest Baroque fountain in Rome (26m high, 50m wide) and arguably the most famous fountain in the world.
Throw one coin over your left shoulder with your right hand: you'll return to Rome. Throw two: you'll fall in love with a Roman. Throw three: you'll marry them. The tradition began in the 19th century — the 1954 film Three Coins in the Fountain popularized it globally. The reality today: approximately €1.5 million in coins are thrown into the fountain annually. Every night, the water is turned off and workers sweep the coins. Since 2001, all coins go to Caritas (Catholic charity) — funding a supermarket for Rome's poor, shelters, and social services. Your wish funds someone's dinner.
Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita — Anita Ekberg wading into the fountain in an evening gown, calling to Marcello Mastroianni — is the most iconic movie scene filmed in Rome. It was shot at 3am to avoid crowds (some things never change). Ekberg was comfortable in the cold water. Mastroianni, less so — Fellini allegedly had to convince him with whiskey. Today: wading into the fountain is strictly prohibited (€450 fine, enforced by police who patrol 24/7). The scene can only be recreated in cinema.
Midnight-5am: 10-20 people. The sound of water amplified by silence. THE time to visit. Night walk guide → 6-8am: 30-50 people. Beautiful morning light. 10am-10pm: 300-1,000+ people. A crowd so dense you can barely see the fountain. Avoid midday completely.