After plans for the fountain were sidelined for more than century, the original Bernini design was incorporated by Nicola Salvi in 1732 when Pope Clement XII finally commissioned it. The Trevi Fountain was completed in 1762 (see References 1 and 2).
The water for the Trevi Fountain is supplied by an aqueduct called the Aqua Virgo that was built in 19 BC. The water comes from Salone Springs, located 12 miles from Rome (see Reference 1; converted km to miles).
Neptune is the central figure of the fountain. He rides in a shell-shaped chariot being pulled by one calm seahorse and one that is restlessly pulling at the lead. The varying moods of the horses represent the ocean's ever-changing temperament (see Reference 1).
Tossing a coin into Trevi Fountain is said to ensure that you will return to Rome. To be effective, the coin toss should be made with your back to the fountain. Visiting at night and taking a drink of the waters to toast that return to Rome is encouraged (see References 1 and 2).
Hollywood has come to Rome to use the Trevi Fountain in a number of films, beginning in 1953 with "Roman Holiday." In 1954, the fountain was the backdrop for "Three Coins in the Fountain." This was the first movie using the CinemaScope format outside of the United States (see Reference 3).
