Tre Coins in the Fountain

Those too old to have a friend who has attended a Hannah Montana concert will recognize the phrase, “Three Coins in a Fountain” and know it has something to do with Rome and as such, probably the Trevi Fountain.

Trevi Fountain

Many believe the legend that throwing three coins in the Trevi Fountain is supposed to bring luck. On a recent trip to Rome, just prior to tossing my three coins in the Trevi Fountain, I came face to face with my ignorance of the legend. In the movie, “Three Coins in the Fountain”, the three coins are thrown by three different romance seeking American girls working in Rome. The legend among Italians is one coin in the fountain, you’ll return to Rome; two coins and you’ll return and fall in love (or get married with a year); and three coins will lead to divorce! If you are following the legend you should also throw your coins from your left hand over your right shoulder.

Another bit of trivia. The Trevi Fountain, so named because it is at the intersection of three streets (tre via) took 30 years to complete in contrast to the Roman Coliseum which was completed in 7 to 10 years approximately 1600 years earlier. Sounds like the evolution of highway construction project times this century!

Roman Coliseum