The Piazza Navona is one of the largest squares in the historic centre of Rome and has the form of a stadium. It was indeed the Stadium of Domitian —Stadio di Domiziano in Italian— for athletic contests and it remained almost unchanged until 1450.

It was built by the Roman Emperor Domitian in the 1st century AD and was known also as Circus Agonalis or Competition Arena where Romans went to see the agones or games. Over time the name became corrupted and finally became Navona.

Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbera

Piazza Navona Fountains

In the center of the piazza stands the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fountain of the Four Rivers in English, built in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which is topped by an obelisk that was brought here from the Maxentius’ Circus in the Via Appia.

The central fountain represents four allegorical figures of the longest river in each continent known at the time: the Danube, the Ganges, the Nile and the River Plate.

In front of Bernini’s fountain and next to the Palazzo Pamphilj we see the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone by Francesco Borromini, Girolamo Rainaldi and others facing onto the Piazza Navona. It was precisely here, in the Domitian Stadium, where the early Christian Saint Agnes was martyred.

There are two more fountains in the Piazza Navona: at the southern end, the Fontana del Moro, in English Moor Fountain, by Giacomo della Porta and Bernini and at the north end the Fontana del Nettuno meaning Fountain of Neptune sculpted by Giacomo della Porta, Gregorio Zappalà and Antonio Della Bitta.

Ancient Talking Statues

A little further, at the southern end we can also see the Pasquino, erected in 1501, which is the most famous of the six ancient talking statues in Rome.

During the night Romans used to tie anonymous notes to Pasquino’s neck with short satirical criticism in verse form against the ruling class and leading public figures. They were called pasquinate and were a way for ordinary people to let off steam although they run a high risk of being caught and severely punished.

Piazza Navona History

The Piazza Navona in Rome has kept virtually the same outline of the original Domitian’s Stadium and it was used for jousts, shows, theatrical events and celebrations well into the 19th century. Nowadays, in December the piazza fills with booths for the Christmas market that is held in the piazza. In the Piazza Navona past meets present without interruption.

Piazza Navona ca. 1730 by Flemish Painter Hendrik Frans van Lint

In the final years of the 15th century the piazza became a public space. In 1477 Sixtus IV transferred the market of Campidoglio to it and soon after it was paved over but it was Pope Innocent X (1644-55), who gave it its present glory. His family palace, the Palazzo Pamphilj, faced the piazza Navona, and the Pope transformed the piazza into an eloquent example of splendid Roman baroque with its impressive fountains and sculptures by renowned artists of the time.

Click the button below to check out the photo gallery showing the different fountains and aspects of the famous Rome Piazza Navona

1. Where is the Trevi Fountain located?

The Trevi Fountain is located in Rome, Italy, Europe. It is exactly located in the Piazza di Trevi in the Trevi district.

2. When was the Trevi Fountain built?

The first Fontana the Trevi was first built in the 15th century, but as we know it today it wasn’t built until 1762.

3. What is the Trevi Fountain?

The Trevi fountain is a baroque fountain in Rome, Italy. It is the largest fountain in Italy and the most famous in the world. It is superimposed on a façade of the Palazzo Poli and depicts Tritons guiding Oceanus’ shell chariot, taming hippocampi or sea-horses.

4. How old is the Trevi fountain?

The Trevi fountain, Rome was completed in the 18th century, in 1762, so it is about two and a half centuries old.

5. How do you say Trevi fountain in Italian?

Fontana di Trevi, pronounced FonTAHnuh dee TRAYvee.

6. Who made the Trevi fountain?

The Trevi Fountain was designed by the Roman Italian architect Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini and the sculptor Pietro Bracci had the honor of completing the fountain after his death.

7. Who designed the Trevi fountain?

Nicola Salvi

8. Who sculpted the Trevi fountain?

Giovanni Battista Maini and Pietro Bracci are the best-known sculptors but at least ten sculptors worked in the sculptural works until its final completion.

9. Why is the Trevi fountain famous?

This is a hard one as it is rather subjective and we asked ourselves the same every time we visited the fountain of Trevi. There isn’t one single fact that explains this as Rome is full of monuments and art that are just as beautiful.

Perhaps the fact that it is the biggest fountain of Italy and it is located in Rome, one of the most unique cities in the world. Perhaps because of the splendor of its statues located in a small, cozy piazza. Perhaps the refreshing, calming view of the water attracts the exhausted tourist after a full day of visiting ancient Roman monuments.

But perhaps it is Georgina Masson that gives us the most plausible and profound explanation in her book The Companion Guide to Rome.

Masson says that at first it is strange to find such a large, exuberant fountain in such a small space. However she continues:

[…] it is precisely to this apparent disproportion that it owes much of its effect.

and further:

[…] although the fountain is world-famous, we enjoy the sensation of sudden revelation. This is the secret of its charm […]

Finally, another reason that has helped make it famous could be the playful coin throwing.

10. What is the Trevi fountain famous for?

Its superb sculptures and the baroque composition as a whole in a unique scenario and unique city. See also the previous answer.

How to get to Trevi Fountain?

The nearest metro stop is Barberini (A Line). You can visit the Fountain any time of day or night and it’s free. At nice it’s beautifully lit. If you want to avoid the crowds, get up early and if it’s fall/autumn or winter you could have the Piazza di Trevi and the Fountain all to yourself.

By the way, the Trevi Roman Fountain is within walking distance of the popular Piazza Navona, in case you want to visit it the same day.

A Roman Fountain of Many Faces

The Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy is one of the most popular attractions in Rome. It is a late baroque fountain boasting sea gods, tritons and a rushing cascade of water known as the Acqua Vergine, Virgin’s Water in English, flowing from Aqua Virgo aqueduct built by Marcus Agrippa in 19 BC

In the 19th century it was said that whoever drank the water from the Trevi Fountain would return to Rome, Italy. Later on, this popular ritual was replaced with throwing coins into the fountain using the right hand over the left shoulder while making a wish.

Until about the beginning of the 20th century Romans considered the soft Acqua Vergine the best of their local waters and girls gave a glass of the Fontana di Trevi water to their boyfriends as a symbol of faithfulness when they had to go away.

The Fountain of Trevi is the largest Roman fountain and it is at the junction of three streets —tre vie in Italian. Some experts agree that this could well be the origin of its name, but not everybody agrees.

Photo by Patrick Subotkiewiez

A Little History

The first Fontana the Trevi was built in 1453 and at first it was very simple. Later on it went through several renovations and restorations, but the Fountain of Trevi as we know it today was only completed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi selected by Pope Clement XII and modified and finalized by Giuseppe Pannini.

The Legend Around this Famous Fountain in Rome

A popular legend holds that in 19 BC a young girl showed some thirsty Roman soldiers for the first time a source of pure water springs rising near Salone about twenty kilometers from Rome. This led Augustus to commission the building of an aqueduct leading into the city, which served the Baths of Agrippa and Rome for over four hundred years. It was named Aqua Virgo, or Virgin’s Waters, in honor of the young girl.

Photo by gnuckx

Oceanus or Neptune?

There is a very widespread misunderstanding about the central figure that presides the Trevi Fountain, Rome. The sea is the theme of the famous sculpture composition and the central statue represents Oceanus, the God of All Waters, not Neptune as it is wrongly stated in many places, even books by art experts and Rome travel guides.

Oceanus (photo above) is the divine personification of a mighty river believed to encircle the whole world from which flow all the rivers and streams. Nicola Salvi made the mighty God the central figure of the Trevi fountain, flanked by a statue of Abundance on the left and one of Salubrity, Health-giving, on the right.

Click the button below to check out the gallery of Trevi Fountain pictures, the most famous fountain in Rome, and in Italy for that matter, that attract people in droves from all over the world to this day.

If you’re planning a trip to the Italian peninsula and want to see the top tourist attractions in Italy in one go, then you might want to need a bit of help in deciding which locations to visit.

From busy Rome and the ancient Pompeii ruins to laid-back Tuscany, there are many great spots to see, things to do and panoramic sights to feast your eyes on.

Forever Rome

Even if some people might think that Rome is overrated, you really have to get there to realize that it isn’t. It’s the birthplace of one of the greatest civilizations ever known to humanity, and a city which has endured for more than 2,500 years. It was the center of culture, religion and the seat of power to many other civilizations for hundreds of years, and a reason for the popular saying All roads lead to Rome.

Rome is the place where you get to remain in awe while admiring monuments such as the Roman Forum, the well-known Coliseum, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalia, the Trajan’s Market, the Pantheon, the Arch of Constantine, the Vatican City or go down to the impressive Catacombs —if you don’t suffer from claustrophobia! There are also lots of restaurants to get a taste of the Italian cuisine as well as countless nightlife venues where you can mingle with locals.

Travel to Ancient Times in Pompeii

If you want to get a glimpse into what Roman life was really like, then you definitely want to go to ancient Pompeii. In 79 AD, the residents of Pompeii were still living a normal life and minding their own duties. Mount Vesuvius was just a hill covered in trees and wine until the day came when it unleashed pyroclastic or burning clouds and ash and buried the entire city.

Pompeii remained untouched for more than 1,500 years, preserving everything in remarkable detail due to the fact that the town was buried underneath tons of ash which prevented air and moisture from affecting it. There are over 2.5 million tourists which visit Pompeii every year in order to get a glimpse into the ordinary lives of Romans during the Pax Romana (Roman Peace).

Enjoy Delightful Tuscany

Away from the busy streets of Rome or ancient ruins of Pompeii, Tuscany is a region that conjures images of green pastures, rolling hills, cypress trees, vineyards and olive groves. There you get to experience the quiet country life in hill towns such as San Gimignano or go to Florence and get a rich experience by either visiting the many venues filled with Renaissance art, or sit back and enjoy an Italian espresso or a traditional dish in one of the small venues.

And while you’re in Tuscany, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to taste the extravagant wine in Chianti, or visit Elba, where the great Napoleon Bonaparte spent most of his exile.

Get a Glimpse into what you could be visiting

Whether you want to get on an organized tour or plan the trip on your own, perhaps you’d like to check out a few monuments, important sightseeing spots or other interesting locations beforehand.

To do so, simply click on the button bellow and enter our vast gallery with high quality pictures. Get to see the best tourist attractions in Italy in bright colors and plan your itinerary for an unforgettable journey!