What Is the Trevi Fountain Made Of?

Travertine limestone — the backdrop

The entire structural backdrop, basin and architectural framing is travertine limestone, quarried at Tivoli (Bagni di Tivoli) 28 km east of Rome. Travertine is a sedimentary stone formed by mineral springs — it's relatively soft when first quarried and hardens with exposure to air, making it perfect for elaborate carving.

The same Tivoli quarries supplied the travertine for the Colosseum in AD 72. The Trevi used roughly 270 tonnes of it.

Carrara marble — the central figures

The dramatic central figures are all Carrara marble from Tuscany — the same prized white marble Michelangelo used for the David. Pietro Bracci carved Oceanus (the god of all water) in 1759–1762. Filippo della Valle carved Abundance and Salubrity, the two allegorical statues in the upper niches.

Stucco — the decorative reliefs

The bas-relief panels above the lateral niches showing the discovery of the Aqua Virgo spring and Agrippa approving its construction are carved in stucco (lime plaster) over a brick core. Stucco was cheaper and faster than marble but extremely vulnerable to weather — they've been repainted and re-stuccoed multiple times.

Where the travertine came from

The sheer volume of stone required for the Trevi Fountain—over 2,500 cubic meters of travertine—came from the quarries of Tibur, modern-day Tivoli. These quarries, specifically the Barco area, have been the literal bedrock of Rome for millennia. Nicola Salvi chose this specific stone not just for its availability, but for its paradoxical nature: it is soft and easy to carve when first extracted, but it hardens significantly over time as it reacts with the air. The transport of these massive blocks to Rome was a feat of engineering in itself, requiring heavy ox-carts to traverse the 28 kilometers of the Via Tiburtina. Even today, if you look closely at the "rocks" at the base of the fountain, you can see the unique pitted texture of the Tivoli travertine, which Salvi masterfully carved to mimic the natural, rugged formations of a wild cliffside.

How the materials have weathered 263 years

Exposing porous travertine and delicate Carrara marble to constant water, sunlight, and modern pollution for over two centuries creates significant conservation challenges. The most persistent issue is "calcareous encrustation"—a white, crusty buildup caused by the high mineral content of the Aqua Virgo water. If left untreated, this can obscure the fine details of the sculptures. Furthermore, the "black crust" (carbonation) caused by Rome’s heavy traffic exhaust once plagued the upper sections of the fountain, though the 2014 restoration and subsequent pedestrianization of the piazza have mitigated this. The Carrara marble of the central figures has fared remarkably well, but it is susceptible to "sugaring," where the surface crystals begin to loosen due to acid rain. To combat this, modern conservators use biocides to prevent the growth of algae and moss in the damp crevices and apply invisible, breathable protective coatings that allow the stone to "breathe" while repelling water and grime.

The water itself

Water arrives via the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct built by Marcus Agrippa in 19 BC, still functioning 2,045 years later. It carries spring water from the Salone springs 21 km away to the fountain. Approximately 2.8 million cubic feet pass through every 24 hours, recirculated continuously.

Modern materials added in restorations

• Stainless-steel pins reinforcing cracked travertine sections (1998)
• Epoxy resin sealing micro-fractures invisible to the eye
• LED uplighting installed under the 2014 Fendi restoration
• Hydraulic recirculation pumps replaced the original gravity-only system in the 20th century

Continue reading about the Trevi Fountain

Plan the visit itself

• Complete Trevi Fountain visitor guide
• Trevi Fountain map & what's nearby
• Pantheon to Trevi walking route
• Spanish Steps to Trevi walk
• Half a day around the Trevi Fountain
• One day in Rome itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

What stone is the Trevi Fountain made of?

Travertine limestone quarried at Tivoli, 28 km east of Rome. The same stone was used to build the Colosseum 1,700 years earlier. The central figures are Carrara marble.

Where does the marble come from?

Carrara, in Tuscany — the same quarries Michelangelo used for the David. The central Oceanus figure and the two flanking allegorical statues are all Carrara marble.

How much water flows through the fountain?

Approximately 2.8 million cubic feet per day (80,000 m³/day), pumped through and recirculated. The original 19 BC Aqua Virgo aqueduct still delivers fresh spring water from the Salone springs 21 km away.

Is the water in the fountain drinkable?

The water in the basin is recirculated and chlorinated — not drinkable. But the spring water from the Aqua Virgo can be drunk from the small spouts at the side (the 'nasone' style fountains), where it bypasses the basin entirely.