In Rome, one of the most recognizable landmarks is the Trevi
Fountain. The fountain was featured in such films
as ‘Three Coins in a Fountain’, where three American ladies hoped to find love,
'Roman Holiday' where Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck did find love, and 'La
Dolce Vita', where statuesque Anita Ekberg took a dip in the waters of the fountain.
Built in 1762 the
baroque fountain stands 25.9 meters (85 feet) high and 19.8 meters (65 feet)
wide, and includes huge statues of
Neptune, the God of the ocean, being driven in a shell-cart drawn by two sea
horses, guided by two Tritons.
The
name Trevi designates the situation
of the fountain, being at the intersection of three roads - tre vie. The
ancient legend has it
that tourists who want to return to Rome, should toss a
coin with their right hand over the left shoulder while standing with their back
to the fountain.
Despite the fact that the practice is discouraged by the powers that be, there
are literally thousands of coins being tossed into the fountain by hopeful
lovers and enchanted honeymooners.
Even if their dreams
don’t come true, the coins don’t go to waste as they are later fished out and
handed to charities.
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