L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025 L'Italo-Americano T he Trevi Foun- tain is one of the most iconic sym- b o l s o f R o m e . K n o w n f o r i t s g r a n d e u r a n d e l a b o r a t e Baroque design, this fountain is a cultural and historical symbol of the Eternal City. R e c e n t l y , a f t e r e x t e n s i v e restoration, it has reopened to the public, introducing new regulations aimed at preserv- ing its beauty and enhancing the visitor experience. As crowds return to enjoy its magnificence, it's a perfect time to revisit its history, sig- n i f i c a n c e , a n d t h e e f f o r t s taken to protect it for future generations. Before checking out what changes for us travelers when visiting the Trevi Fountain, let's talk about its history. Not many may know that the his- tory of the Fontana di Trevi — as it is known in Italian — began in Roman times, more p r e c i s e l y w h e n t h e A q u a Virgo aqueduct was con- structed in 19 BC, under the direction of Marcus Vipsa- nius Agrippa, to provide clean water to the city. The fountain itself, howev- er, came much later. During t h e R e n a i s s a n c e , P o p e Nicholas V decided to restore the Aqua Virgo, commission- ing a modest fountain at its endpoint, but it wasn't until t h e 1 8 t h c e n t u r y t h a t t h e Trevi Fountain took on its c u r r e n t f o r m . P o p e C l e m e n t X I I i n i t i a t e d a c o m p e t i t i o n i n 1 7 3 0 t o redesign the fountain, a com- mon practice of the time to integrate art and architecture into public works. Nicola Salvi's proposal was chosen, a n d w o r k b e g a n i n 1 7 3 2 . Tragically, Salvi did not live to see its completion; the fountain was finished in 1762 u n d e r t h e s u p e r v i s i o n o f Giuseppe Pannini. The design of the Trevi Fountain is an extraordinary example of Baroque art, merging architectural ele- ments with dynamic sculp- t u r e t o c r e a t e a s e n s e o f movement and drama: at its center stands a grand depic- tion of Oceanus, the god of all water, riding a chariot drawn b y s e a h o r s e s . F l a n k i n g Oceanus are figures repre- s e n t i n g A b u n d a n c e a n d S a l u b r i t y , s y m b o l s o f t h e virtues of water. The foun- tain's backdrop, designed to resemble a triumphal arch, enhances its theatrical pres- ence. Its name, Trevi, is thought to derive from the phrase tre vie—"three roads"—as it is located at the intersection of three streets. But we all know that the T r e v i F o u n t a i n ' s f a m e extends far beyond its histor- ical and architectural signifi- cance, and that it has cap- t u r e d t h e i m a g i n a t i o n o f people worldwide. Few mon- uments have been so promi- nently featured in films, with perhaps the most famous example being Federico Felli- ni's La Dolce Vita (1960). The scene of Anita Ekberg w a d i n g i n t o t h e f o u n t a i n r e m a i n s o n e o f t h e m o s t iconic moments in film histo- ry, which is forever etched in the minds of millions of peo- ple. Other movies, such as Roman Holiday (1953), have further enhanced its appeal, making it a must-visit destination for tourists to the capital. Equally famous is the tra- dition of tossing a coin into the fountain, a ritual that has become synonymous with visiting Rome: legend has it that throwing a coin over one's left shoulder with the right hand ensures a return to the city. This practice has b e e n r o m a n t i c i z e d o v e r decades, and the sheer scale of participation is astound- ing—an estimated €3,000 ($ 3,125) in coins is thrown into the fountain every day. These f u n d s a r e c o l l e c t e d a n d d o n a t e d t o C a r i t a s , a Catholic charity, which uses the proceeds to support the city's underprivileged. With such a history and popularity behind, we can imagine that preserving a monument as beloved as the Trevi Fountain is no small task. Over the centuries, the f o u n t a i n w e a t h e r e d t h e effects of pollution, wear from millions of visitors, and even vandalism, so much so that the need for conserva- t i o n b e c a m e i n c r e a s i n g l y urgent in recent years. Between 2014 and 2015, t h e l u x u r y f a s h i o n h o u s e Fendi sponsored a signifi- c a n t r e s t o r a t i o n p r o j e c t , i n v e s t i n g € 2 . 2 m i l l i o n (around $2.3 million) to clean the travertine stone, repair cracks, and restore the sculptures to their original brilliance. This effort marked t h e f i r s t c o m p r e h e n s i v e restoration in over 20 years a n d w a s c e l e b r a t e d a s a m o d e l f o r p u b l i c - p r i v a t e partnerships in cultural her- itage preservation. I n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e upcoming Jubilee Year in 2025, additional restoration efforts were undertaken in 2024. This time, the focus was on cleaning and address- ing damage caused by envi- ronmental factors, including limescale and pollution. The meticulous work, which cost € 3 2 7 , 0 0 0 ( $ 3 4 0 , 0 0 0 ) ensured the fountain could shine once again in time for the influx of visitors expected for the Jubilee celebrations. The restoration was com- pleted ahead of schedule, and the fountain reopened to the p u b l i c o n D e c e m b e r 2 2 , 2024, in a show of the city and its people's commitment to preserving this global trea- sure. With the restoration com- plete, the city of Rome has introduced new rules to protect the Trevi Fountain and improve the visitor expe- r i e n c e . O n e o f t h e m o s t notable changes is the imple- mentation of a timed entry system: visitors must now book online and adhere to s p e c i f i c t i m e s l o t s , w i t h access limited to 400 people at a time. This measure aims to reduce overcrowding, a long-standing issue at the site. Additionally, an entry fee of €2 (just over $2) is b e i n g c o n s i d e r e d , w h i c h w o u l d h e l p f u n d o n g o i n g maintenance. The new vis- iting hours, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., include specific peri- ods for cleaning and coin col- lection, ensuring the fountain remains in pristine condi- tion. There is no denying that Trevi Fountain is a living piece of history, a cultural touchstone, and a source of inspiration for millions. Its reopening, coupled with the introduction of new rules, marks the beginning of a new chapter in its long life. As Rome prepares to greet pil- grims and tourists for the Jubilee Year, the fountain is ready to welcome everyone to the streets of the Città Eter- na, in al l its majesty and beauty. Truly, the Trevi Fountain is a symbol of Rome's eter- nal, special beauty. We can toss a coin in its waters, take a photo at its edge, or just stare at it and take in its love- liness and artistry: it doesn't matter. The Fontana di Trevi remains one of the monu- ments that manages to con- nect us the most to the magic of the Eternal City. LUCA SIGNORINI The Trevi Fountain reopens for the Jubilee Year The Fountain of Trevi underwent significant conservation works in the past years (Photo: Augustin Florian/Dreamstime) NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS

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