Rick and I headed out from our hotel on foot. Our destination was the Vatican by way of a few intended sights. With map in hand, we looked for the streets indicated but most of them turned out to be more like alleyways. Street signs are engraved blocks on the sides of buildings. Our first destination was the Trevi Fountain.
This fountain is enormous!
It was based on the design of Nicolo Salvi and built from 1732-1762.
The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses.
Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.
In the niches flanking Neptune, Abundance spills water from her urn
and Salubrity holds a cup from which a snake drinks.
Before I went to Italy, I rented the movie Three Coins in the Fountain. I had never seen this film but do think it has contributed significantly to the popularity of this fountain. The movie suggests that if you throw a coin over your shoulder, you will find true love. In Rome, the legend has it that if you toss the coin, then you will return to Rome. I couldn't chance not returning to Rome and so in the coin went.
1 comment:
Elaine, your Trevi Fountain photos are just gorgeous. The coin toss is a must. Mum and I returned to Rome 3 times, it was a good thing we each threw in a coin. The volcano may have kept us in Italy, but in the end... All roads (and train tracks) lead to Rome!
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