Trevi Fountain & 360° Travel Guide 

Trevi Fountain

Fontana di Trevi	Fontana di Trevi	Piazza Colonna

The Fontana di Trevi (1732-62) is of course one of Rome's most famous landmarks thanks to Roman Holiday, La Dolce Vita and of course Three Coins in the Fountain. It is a stunning sight and despite the crowds something about its design and the presence of tumbling water makes it surprisingly relaxing. It was constructed at the intersection of three roads hence "Trevi" at the end of the Aqua Virgo; which has supplied water to Rome since 19BC. A statue of Neptune carried in a shell pulled by sea horses dominates the centre of the fountain which can be particularly dramatic when lit by underwater lights at dusk or night. A short distance west is the Piazza Colonna named after the Doric Column of Marcus Aurelius (193AD, restored 1589) in its centre. To one side is the Palazzo Chigi and in front a fountain (1577, restored 1830) with carved dolphins.

Piazza del Popolo to Spanish Steps

Piazza del Popolo	Trinita` dei Monti	Spanish Steps

You can head north west for about a kilometre to the Piazza del Popolo a (by Roman standards) relatively modern creation of the early 19th century. In its centre is an obelisk of Rameses II from Heliopolis, originally brought to Rome on Emperor Augustus's orders in 10BC and originally erected in the Circus Maximus but moved to its current location in 1589. To the east of the Piazza a carriageway takes you into the Pincio and from there into the Villa Borghese park.Heading south east along "Piazza della Trinita` dei Monti" you will arrive at the church of the same name. The church of Trinita` dei Monti which despite its location, atop the Spanish Steps, owes its existence to French influences; Louis XII started the construction (to celebrate the French invasion of Sicily) on a site next to a monastery in 1502 although it wasn't completed until 1585. Since 1828 the monastery and church have been under the order of the Religieuses du Sacre-Coeur de Jesus. You can now take in great views, over Rome, as you weave your way past seated tourists down the 138 Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinit? dei Monti).The steps were instigated thanks to the bequeath of a French ambassador whose wish was for a statue of Louis XIV at its top, however Papal opposition and a contested will prevented the original plans and it was constructed (1723) without the potentially offending statue. At the bottom is a house where the English poet John Keats lived and died (1821) and now a museum.

Piazza di Spagna to Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Piazza di Spagna	Immacolata Column	Fontana del Tritone	Santa Maria degli Angeli

The Piazza di Spagna referred to the location of the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See (central government of the Catholic church). At its centre is the Fontana della Barcaccia (1627) shaped like a boat in respect of the previous regular flooding of the Tiber into the area. This area is also home to a concentration of shops dedicated to another of Italy's great passions: fashion; all the great design houses seem to be represented here. A short stroll east is the Immacolata Column (1854) erected by Pope Pius IX using as its base an ancient Roman column and with a statue of the Madonna at its top.

Heading south east you will find the Fontana del Tritone (1643) on Piazza Barberini. The basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (Santa Maria degli Angeli) was constructed within the tepidarium; warm water room, of the Baths of Diocletian (306AD) the largest imperial Roman baths, which also houses the Museo Nazionale Romano. The basilica designed by Michelangelo in 1563-6 was dedicated to Christian martyrs and is also home to the tomb of Pope Pius IV(1499-1565). Inside is a meridian line (1702) commissioned by Pope Clement XI to confirm the accuracy of the Gregorian calendar and accurately predict Easter.