Backpacking Rome:Trevi Fountain,Spanish Steps

From the Trevi Fountain that was left dry with a few visible wishing coins,I gulped down the famous Gelato cone and walked down the Spanish Steps.

Fountain of the Ugly Boat

From which angle does this look ugly??

at Rome,Italy

No matter what anyone says no matter if going to a place as significant as Trevi Fountain is important,skip it if you get a hint that it's under construction still.I regret the fact that the internet never warned me on this as it's expected to be under renovation till October 2015.

That's no pretty sight..with the construction!

But we still have the queue.You actually don't have to be in Queue.

You can see it from a distance.

To view my previous post on Italy click below:

Backpacking Rome:Hostels,Colloseum

Festa Italiana 2015

Italy Comes To India

Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and the legend goes like in 19 BC thirsty Roman soldiers were guided by a young girl to the source of pure water 13km from the city of Rome.The discovery of the source led Augustus to order construction of 22km Aquaduct leading into the city,which was named Aqua Virgo or Virgin waters,in honor of the girl named 'Trivia'.Originally tossing a coin in would mean great health.Over the years,Trevi Fountain was the famous wishing fountain popularized after movie Three Coins in the fountain.These coins go to charity after regular cleanup and are helped to aid the poor.

I wonder looking at the current situation if the source dried up otherwise the fountain looked rather neat if I overlook the construction work.A narrow path is created surrounding it and one can walk over.As tourists many of us come with a checklist and for me,Trevi Fountain was a must see as its said if you toss a coin over your shoulder into the fountain,one day you will return to Rome.I didn't throw a coin in an empty fountain as I wasn't as impressed but I wish to go Rome once again.

The area surrounding Trevi Fountain has plethora of eateries,flea markets and shops.Just in case,if you wish to buy souvenirs at a super affordable rate walk around this area.I got magnets for 1 euro in this area.

One of the Fontanas in Piazza Del Popolo

Piazza Del Popolo,Rome

Piazza Del Popolo,Rome

Piazza Del Popolo,Rome

As you start walking towards Piazza Del Popolo,you would find Spanish Steps coming in between with the view of beautiful Twin tower church at the top of the forground.A metro station called Spagna would also land you at Spanish Steps.Spanish Steps(Fontana della Barcaccia) also called 'Fountain of the ugly boat' is 135 steps.And the story goes prior to the river walls being built,Tibet was often flooded in 1598 and Piazza Di Spagna was flooded too.What was left behind was the boat in the square.The fountain depicts half sunken ship with water overflowing.Spanish Steps attracts a lot of visitors..

A walk from Spagna to Piazza

From Spagna to Piazza is lined up with many shops although expensive

Piazza Del Popolo,Rome

Piazza Del Popolo,Rome

As I walked towards Piazza Del Popolo ahead of Spanish Steps,I realised Rome wasn't done in a day.I have had high hopes that if I overdo and walk my feet out,may be I would be doing justice to my trip and soak in as much as possible.I was proved wrong.Piazza Del Popolo which means People's Square is a large urban square in Rome.Surrounded by Fontanas(Fountains),the Egyptian Obelisk at the center and the Stairs,this is architecture in panorama.I wonder who built it and how beautiful!I randomly watched a seller play with bubbles and sooner than I realised I was part of it 'making bubbles in the Popolo' .Supposedly many of the fontanas in Italy were connected to Roman Aquaducts.

The area around Trevi

The area around Trevi

The area surrounding Trevi

Gelateria Artigianale at Cannoli Siciliani , Trevi

                                       
And last but not the least,when I was done with strolling around the streets in the area,I quickly reminded myself if I must go to St.Peters Basilica as I remembered one of the metro stations mentioned it.However,the basilica had timings and I was told by a local that even if I try walking down now,the Basilica would be closed by the time I reach and stand in the long queue(7am - 7pm).

Lesson learnt:Know the timings.

Tomorrow we take a train to Venice.