Trevi Fountain Reopens and Melts Hearts

I am delighted that the renewal of one of my favourite monuments in the world as now been completed.

Inauguration of the fountain took place on November 3rd, 2015. Thousands watched the water of Rome’s Fontana di Trevi flow again following an almost two-year renovation.

It was luxury fashion house Fendi who helped make it happen. The Roman-based company pledged €2.5 million to restore five of the city’s beloved fountains, including the iconic Trevi Fountain.

At an official ceremony marking the occasion, Petro Beccari, Chairman and CEO of Fendi followed tradition by throwing a coin in the fountain.

“Well we are particularly emotional and proud tonight as we are giving back to the city of Rome and to Italy, one of his most beautiful monuments, in a perfect and splendid state,” Beccari said in a video on Mashable.

The fountain that reflects Rococo architecture was designed by architect Nicola Salvi in 1732 and completed in 1762 by Giueseppe Pannini.

The sculptures depict Neptune’s shell-shaped chariot drawn by sea horses and led by tritons. It is powered by a 2,000 year old Roman aqueduct ‘Acqua Vergine’.

Now, I was fortunate enough to visit Rome twice during this time and observe the artisans restoring the fountain via the walkway which hovered above the water channel.

As well as the work on the sculptures, the water-flow was also redesigned along with the new lighting and surveillance.

For many, the fountain also remains reminiscent of Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni wading through its waters in the movie, La Dolce Vita.

So now that’s it officially opened, below are the three legends you’ll need to know when you visit the Trevi Fountain.

1. Throwing a coin in the fountain (over your left shoulder) will ensure your return to the Eternal City;
2. A second coin will see you find love with an Italian;
3. The third will see you marry that person.

Sigh… the romance.

While the fountain is hard to miss, you can find it here is its official address for your next visit: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Roma, Italy.

Cover Image via Veronica Vega and references: http://www.turismoroma.it/