Construction and the early decades
The fountain was inaugurated on 22 May 1762 after nearly thirty years of construction. The original designer, Nicola Salvi (1697–1751), died before completion: the project was finished by Giuseppe Pannini, who made some modifications to the decorative programme.
The principal materials are travertine (the load-bearing structure, the artificial rock, the bases) and white marble (the sculptures). The travertine is quarried at Tivoli, a material noted for its porosity and capacity to absorb moisture.
In the early decades after inauguration the fountain required no extraordinary intervention. The hydraulic system, fed by the Aqua Virgo, functioned regularly.
The 18th and 19th centuries: routine maintenance
Until Italian Unification (1870), the fountain fell under the administrative responsibility of the Apostolic Chamber (the papal treasury). Documented interventions were primarily routine maintenance: cleaning of surfaces, pipe repairs, nozzle checks.
The fountain suffered some damage during the revolutionary upheavals of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but no significant extraordinary restorations are recorded for this period.
The twentieth century: structural interventions
During the twentieth century the fountain underwent various extraordinary maintenance works. The postwar decades saw a surge in mass tourism to Rome, with corresponding pressures on all monuments in the historic centre.
Atmospheric pollutants — sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide — are particularly aggressive on travertine and marble: they form sulphate deposits on surfaces that, over time, produce the "black crust" effect visible on many Roman monuments.
Consolidation works and cleaning of sculpted surfaces were carried out in various phases between the 1960s and 1990s, without however constituting a systematic overall campaign.
The Fendi restoration: 2015–2016
The most significant restoration in the Trevi Fountain's recent history was carried out between November 2015 and November 2016, funded by the fashion house Fendi — historically headquartered in the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana at EUR, but Roman in origin.
Funding: €2.18 million donated by Fendi as part of a cultural sponsorship arrangement. This is one of the most notable examples of private patronage in the conservation of Roman cultural heritage in the 2010s.
What was done
1. Surface cleaning Travertine and marble surfaces were cleaned using controlled physical and chemical methods: micro-abrasion, laser cleaning in particularly delicate areas, and biocide applications to remove biological deposits (mosses, algae, microorganisms).
2. Consolidation of sculptures The statues of Neptune, the Tritons and the allegorical figures (Abundance and Health, by Filippo della Valle) were inspected and consolidated. Micro-cracks in the marble were treated with stable epoxy resins.
3. Hydraulic system The entire network of pipes and nozzles was inspected and partially renewed. The water flow — approximately 80,000 m³ per day from the Aqua Virgo — was optimised.
4. Lighting system A new LED system was installed, replacing the previous halogen lighting. The new system reduces energy consumption by 60% and provides a warmer colour temperature that better enhances the travertine at night.
5. Structural monitoring Monitoring sensors were installed to track micro-vibrations and structural movements — a particular concern in an urban area with heavy traffic nearby.
The temporary draining
During the works, the basin was drained and the area enclosed with scaffolding. The floor of the emptied basin revealed the millions of coins accumulated over the years: a portion was recovered and counted during the restoration.
The debate over private patronage
The Fendi restoration opened a debate on the appropriateness of private sponsorship for publicly owned cultural heritage. On one hand: private funds allow interventions the State cannot finance promptly. On the other: questions arise about commercial visibility on public heritage assets.
The model has since been replicated with other Roman and Italian monuments.
The challenge of mass tourism
With 5–6 million visitors per year, the Trevi Fountain faces considerable physical pressures: vibration, humidity, airborne particles and human contact with the structure. The paid access system introduced in 2024 (€2 to approach the basin) also partly addresses this problem: reducing the number of people in direct contact with the monument.
Current state and ongoing maintenance
Following the 2016 restoration, the fountain undergoes regular routine maintenance. Rome's municipality has established a technical committee for ongoing monitoring of the monument.
The principal challenges for future conservation:
- Air pollution: still the main cause of travertine degradation
- Mass tourism: millions of visitors in the small piazza generate vibrations and humidity
- Hydraulic maintenance: the Aqua Virgo conduits require periodic inspection
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Frequently asked questions
When was the last major restoration of the Trevi Fountain? The most recent restoration was completed in November 2016, funded by Fendi for €2.18 million.
Who financed the 2015–2016 restoration? The fashion house Fendi, with a donation of €2.18 million under a cultural patronage agreement.
Was the fountain closed during the restoration? Yes. The basin was drained and the area enclosed with scaffolding between November 2015 and November 2016.
What material is the Trevi Fountain made of? Primarily travertine (structure and artificial rock) and white marble (sculptures). The travertine comes from the quarries at Tivoli.
Article no. 90 — TIER S — MON-05 Trevi Fountain Type: HISTORICAL Words: ~1,200