The Trevi Fountain is Rome at its most theatrical: a Baroque cascade of sculpted figures, rearing horses and rushing water built against the façade of Palazzo Poli. At its centre, Oceanus rides a shell-shaped chariot through a rocky seascape. The fountain fills its compact piazza so completely that turning the corner into it feels like discovering a stage set.
Designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762, the fountain marks the endpoint of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct first inaugurated in 19 BC. Its fame has grown far beyond Rome, helped by the scene in Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita in which Anita Ekberg wades into the water. Today, visitors continue the tradition of tossing a coin into the basin to ensure a return to the city.
Visit early in the morning for a quieter look at the sculptures, or after dark to see the illuminated fountain. The surrounding streets get crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings and allow time to approach on foot. Don’t enter the water; check current local access rules before visiting, as arrangements for the area around the basin can change.