ROME — The iconic Trevi Fountain has remained a popular cinematic backdrop, featured in film classics such as Federico Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” and modern series like Netflix’s “Emily in Paris.” Year after year, countless visitors make their way through Rome’s bustling streets to witness the grandeur of this baroque marvel, with its central figure of the Titan god Oceanus surrounded by cascading waters into its strikingly blue basin.
Despite the fountain’s fame and beauty, few realize what lies behind it. Visitors are unaware of the mechanisms that produce the enchanting flow of water they enjoy. Accessed through unassuming wooden doors nearby, the operational chambers house the technology powering the fountain’s waterworks. The source is the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, situated 16 kilometers away. Two electric pumps circulate an impressive 126 liters of water per second, a process that is continually monitored by ACEA, Rome’s water management company.
Maintaining this precise water flow is imperative for the fountain to function correctly, according to Davide D’Alonzo, ACEA’s area manager. Even the slightest deviation could disrupt the synchronized movement of water around the statues. The control room is equipped with modern machinery, including metal tanks and illuminated control panels. In contrast, another chamber features a listening rush of water through an old pipe, accompanied by an 18th-century hydrometer that measures water levels.
On the chamber walls, a list from the past records the names of noble Roman families who once depended on this water source. Those who failed to pay their dues discovered their supply terminated, a testament to the fountain’s historical significance. Through grated windows, one can glimpse the fountain and the throngs of visitors, most of whom remain oblivious to the engineering wonder behind the scenes. As tourists toss their coins into the shimmering water, they partake in the tradition that promises a return to the enchanting city of Rome.