Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Sinking Boat Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is a display of Rome's use of their great aqueducts that bring an abundance of water to the city.  The fountain was completed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi.  Salvi used the palace behind the fountain to serve as his backdrop for a figure of Ocean, who represents water in every form.  In Ocean, the statue surfs through the wet kingdom with water gushing from 24 spouts and tumbling over 30 different kinda of plants, all while Triton blows his conch shell.  There are no streets that approach the fountain so you listen for the buzz of excitement in the air and then turn the corner and BAM there it is!  The tradition is to toss a coin over your shoulder, giving you a wish and assuring your return to Rome.

The Spanish Steps are named for the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican which has been in Italy for over 300 years.  Many romantics such as Keats, Wagner, Openshaw and Goethe have lingered here.  Keats pondered his mortality here and the died in the pink building on the right of the steps.  Lord Byron lived across the square now major shopping takes place in stores such as Gucci, Prada, Fendi and more.

The Sinking Boat Fountain is at the foot of the steps and is powered by an aqueduct (all of Rome's fountains are).