LEGO Architecture Trevi Fountain Instruction Manual

TreviFountain
RomeItaly
LafontainedeTrevi
RomeItalie
FontanadeTrevi
RomaItalia
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TreviFountain
RomeItaly
The Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is the
most famous and arguably the most beautiful
fountain in Rome. This impressive Baroque-
styled monument was completed in 1762 and
still dominates the small Trevi square located
in the city’s Quirinale district.
© Shutterstock
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TreviFountain
RomeItaly
©Shutterstock
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History
The imposing fountain sits at the junction of
three roads, or tre vie, which many believe
gave the fountain its name, and marks the
terminal point of one of the original aqueducts
that supplied water to ancient Rome. Built by
Marcu Vipsanius Agrippa in 19 BC, the Aqua
Virgo aqueduct was over 13 miles (21 km) long
and even then had a fountain at its terminus.
The aqueduct and fountain served Rome for
over 400 years, but after the invasion of the
Goths in AD 537, the aqueduct was cut off
and the final portion abandoned, forcing the
medieval Romans to draw water from wells
and the River Tiber. It would be over 1,000
years, and the advent of the Early Renaissance
period, before a fountain would again stand in
the location we know today.
©GettyImages
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©Shutterstock
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Many smaller fountains were constructed
between 1400 and 1700, almost all of them at
the behest of the reigning pope. It was also
Pope Clement XII who organized a competition
in 1730 to build a more dramatic fountain.
Many of the most renowned architects of the
day entered the competition, which architect
Nicola Salvi eventually won.
With a budget of 17,647 Scudo (the Papal State’s
currency), work began in 1732. Unfortunately,
neither Clement XII nor Salvi would live to see
the work completed. It was Pietro Bracci who,
under the guardianship of Clement XIII, would
complete the project. The magnificent fountain
that we know today was officially opened on
Sunday, May 22, 1762.
The central theme of this impressive fountain is
the Taming of the Waters. In a mix of water and
rockwork, Tritons guide Oceanus’ shell chariot,
taming the horses, or hippocampi, of the sea.
A triumphal arch with three niches holds the
fountain’s main statues. The center niche
frames Oceanus and includes freestanding
columns for maximal light and shade. In the
niches flanking Oceanus, Abundance spills
water from her urn and Salubrity holds a cup
from which a snake drinks. Above, bas-reliefs
illustrate the Roman origin of the aqueducts.
The 86 ft. (26.3 m) tall and 161.3 ft. (49.15 m) wide
fountain is superimposed on a backdrop of
the elegant Palazzo Poli. The palace was given
a new facade to match the fountain and today
houses the National Institute of Graphic Art.
Design & Construction
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©Shutterstock
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The Trevi Fountain Today
The Trevi Fountain has become an iconic
symbol of Rome and remains one of the city’s
most popular tourist attractions. A traditional
legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into
the fountain, they are ensured a return to
Rome. It is estimated that 3,000 euros are
thrown into the fountain each day.
The fountain has provided a backdrop for many
classic movies, including Hollywood’s 1954
romantic comedy, Three Coins in a Fountain,
and Federico Fellini’s famous 1960 La Dolce
Vita. Part of the fountain is also replicated at
the Italy Pavilion at Epcot in Walt Disney World
in the US.
The fountain was refurbished in 1998; the
stonework was scrubbed and all cracks and
other areas of deterioration were repaired by
skilled artisans, and the fountain was equipped
with recirculating pumps.
In January 2013, it was announced that
the Italian fashion company Fendi would
sponsor a 20-month, € 2.2 million restoration
of the fountain; it will be the most thorough
restoration in the fountain’s history.
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© Shutterstock
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© Shutterstock
The Architects
Little of Nicola Salvi’s (1697–1751) work beyond
the Trevi Fountain remains today and relatively
little is known of the architect himself. He was
admitted to the Roman Academy of Arcadia
in 1717 and only became an architect after
studying mathematics and philosophy. His
friend and colleague, the sculptor Pietro
Bracci (1700–1773), would eventually go on to
complete the fountain. Bracci’s most famous
piece of work, the statue of Oceanus, forms
the centerpiece of the fountain.
Facts about
the Trevi Fountain
Location: .................................. Rome, Italy
People: ...................................... Pope Clement XII,
Pope Clement XIII,
Nicola Salvi,
Pietro Bracci
Construction Period: ....... 1732 to 1762
Measurements: ................... Height 86 ft. (26.3 m)
Width 161.3 ft. (49.15 m)
Materials: ................................. Travertine stone
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