PM Modi, World Leaders toss coins at Trevi Foundation - Fontana Di Trevi in Rome, Italy; G20 Summit

On the third of his visit to Italy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his day by visiting the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome. It is one of the most visited monuments of France and is loved by tourists. The Trevi Fountain has always attracted filmmakers who have popularised the Baroque art-styled monument as the epitome of a place of romance. PM Modi and other world leaders tossed coins in Trevi Foundation as per famous tradition here.


History of Trevi Fountain & the Coin Toss

The Trevi Fountain (“Fontana di Trevi” in Italian) has a history that predates the 1600s, and it’s the most well-known fountain in the world. “Trevi” is a mashup of the Italian words “tre,” meaning “three” and “vie,” meaning “roads,” because the fountain was constructed at the intersection of Rome’s then three most important thoroughfares.

The Design, Redesign, and Folklore of the Trevi Fountain

Today, we know that the original design of the Trevi was more utilitarian than artful, as it was used as Rome’s source for naturally pure and potable water by way of an aqueduct. It wasn’t until many years later that the Trevi Fountain got its Baroque makeover, thanks to a commission from Pope Urban VIII, who had the fountain redesigned and renovated by one of Italy’s most famous sculptors, Bernini (also known for such pieces as The Ecstasy of St. Teresa and The Chair of St. Peter, among many others).

Why Do People Toss Coins in the Trevi Fountain?

According to the legend of Rome’s most famous fountain, there are three key reasons for tossing coins into the Trevi. The first and most well-known reason is based on local lore that states doing so will bring you back to Rome again, someday. But the next two reasons are lesser-known: to find love or romance while in Rome, and to happily marry there. Of course, each wish requires its own coin. So, if you’re a believer of the lore, to find romance, you’ll need two coins, and to marry an Italian in Rome after courting, you’ll need a third coin. Regardless of the gender of the person tossing the coins, these three assurances are to be virtually guaranteed—but only if one knows exactly how to toss a coin into the Trevi to make it so.

After his visit to the fountain, PM Modi will attend a bilateral meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez. He will also attend a session on Sustainable Development and an event that will be hosted by US President Joe Biden on the topic, 'Supply Chain Resilience'.

PM Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with other leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit on Sunday, October 31.

Post his G20 visit, PM Modi will visit Glasgow on Sunday to attend the 26th Conference of Parties (COP-26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Yesterday, PM Modi met with Pope Francis for the first time and invited him to India which he happily accepted. Later in the day, PM Modi interacted with world leaders at the G20 Summit including US President Joe Biden, President of France Emmanuel Macron and others.