Rome, Italy ~ Fontana de Trevi

Fontana de Trevi, or Trevi Fountain for the English speakers, is said to be the most beautiful and most famous of fountains in the world.  I suppose that’s easy to understand in light of the number of cameos it’s had in movies over the years.  This gorgeous fountain took over 30 years to build, with two different architects, and two different popes, prior to its commissioning in 1762.  All that to say, there was some drama over its design and who built it.

There is nothing “hidden” in its name, in that it’s simply named after the region is resides in.  The Trevi district of Rome.  What is somewhat hidden in its design is that it’s meant to capture the origin of the aqueducts of Rome by featuring Oceanus, the god of the sea.  That somehow, the ancient aqueducts where personally filled by Oceanus because he loved Rome so much.

Fontana de Trevi

Fontana de Trevi

Fontana de Trevi

Tossing Coins

But what about this coin tossing legend?  I’m not sure how it originated or whether it’s an example of the best social media marketing before the internet, but I flung a coin or two myself.  The legend being, you are to have your back to the fountain, hold the coin in your right hand and toss it over your left shoulder.  Should you do this, legend promises the following;

One Coin, you will return to Rome

Two Coins, you will return and find romance

Three Coins, you will return, find romance and get married

That’s a lot of coins!  What do they do with them?  The 1.5M USD equivalent collected every year goes to the under privileged in Rome in terms of food and services via the Italian Red Cross.  That fact alone is reason enough to toss a coin!  How many did I toss?  I’ll never tell, but I do know I’ll be back…