It's one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rome, which makes visiting the Trevi Fountain a double-edged sword. On one hand, all that interest must mean it's worth seeing, right? (Right.) But on the other hand, doesn't that mean it's always crowded? (Right again.) Don't expect to have the place to yourself, no matter the hour or weather. That's okay; at least you can impress all the other tourists by nonchalantly sharing all your Trevi fountain knowledge.

Its Story Began in 19 B.C.

Long before work began on the fountain itself, an aqueduct called Aqua Virgo carried drinking water into Ancient Rome. One of the terminals of that aqueduct, erected in 19 B.C., marked the location where the Trevi Fountain was later built.

But that work didn't start until the 1700s. In the mid-1600s, Pope Urban VIII chose Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the famed Italian architect and sculptor, to design the fountain. The plan fell apart when the pope died, and construction finally started in 1732 and was completed in 1762. The fountain's design was ultimately created by architect Nicola Salvi and incorporated many of the classic baroque elements from Bernini's original plans.

It's Massive (But the Plaza Isn't)

Visitors who are expecting a typical stone fountain will be stunned by the size of the Trevi Fountain. It takes up most of the Piazza di Trevi. The fountain is 65 feet wide, spanning most of the width of the plaza, and is 85 feet high at the tallest point. A huge pool separates the crowds from the statue at the rear center of the fountain. Many visitors assume the figure at the center of the statue is Neptune, the god of fresh water, but it's actually Oceanus, the god of the sea.

One Part of the Fountain Was Added for Spite

After admiring the fountain from the front, turn right and walk around the side of the fountain until you're nearly parallel to Oceanus. You'll see a large carved vase there, called the Ace of Cups. Legend has it that a barber whose shop faced the plaza would frequently pester Salvi with complaints and criticism while construction was underway, so Salvi added the sculpture to block the barber's view and keep him from enjoying the fountain's beauty.

It's Hard to Get Close During the Day

Forget those visions of relaxing by the Trevi fountain with a good book and a bowl of gelato. Its popularity, combined with the fairly limited viewing room surrounding it, means that the fountain's plaza is always packed, so just getting close enough to the front to get a good view is challenging. But it does tend to be less crowded during winter than during the rest of the year. Luckily, the fountain is lit up all night, so if you're willing to slip out of your hotel at 3 a.m., you'll get a great view. Of course, Rome isn't the safest city to wander at night.

Your best bet for getting a good view is to wake around dawn and head straight to the fountain before other tourists start flooding in. Alternately, swing through the plaza at night after having a late dinner if you're with a group and feel safe doing so. If you do plan to visit during the day, consider booking a seat on one of Rome's hop-on, hop-off buses. They generally include stops at the fountain, making it easy to jump off, get a glimpse and catch the next bus.

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