The Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is probably the most famous fountain in the world and one of Rome's undisputed symbols. Masses of tourists flock to the fountain and stand in line to get close to it, take photos beside it, and throw a coin.

The Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is an 18th-century Baroque masterpiece. At the center of the fountain, you can see the Roman sea god Oceanus standing on a shell-shaped chariot pulled by horses. It's the largest fountain in Rome, measuring about 49 meters wide and 26 meters high, and is located at the junction of three streets - hence its name "tre vie" (three streets in Italian). The fountain marks the endpoint of Rome's ancient aqueduct, which has been supplying water to the city for 2,000 years.

An ancient Roman legend, originating from ancient pagan rituals of offering gifts to water gods, promises that if you stand with your back to the fountain and throw a coin into it with your right hand over your left shoulder, you will surely return to Rome.

Later traditions added variations:

• One coin guarantees your return to Rome

• Two coins - you'll find love in Rome

• Three coins - you'll get married in Rome

The tradition became even more famous after the 1954 film "Three Coins in the Fountain":

Today, the place is packed with tourists to capacity. The city has set up barriers so that only 400 visitors can reach the fountain itself at any given moment, and the lines are very long.

Interesting fact: The Trevi Fountain "earns" an average of 3,000 euros per day from coin tosses - an amount that reaches about 1.5 million euros per year! All this money is donated to a Catholic charity in Rome.

Instead of joining the queue, you have an excellent option: At the Benetton store across from the fountain, on the first floor, you can get a stunning view of the fountain and photograph it from an exceptional angle. It's less suitable for selfies (unless you don't mind showing a window frame), but the photos of the fountain itself turn out impressive without the crowds.

You can't visit Rome without visiting the Trevi Fountain, just come with realistic expectations: it won't be a romantic and quiet experience like in the movies.