Trevi Fountain to Be Scoured of Soot

ROME — The monumental Trevi Fountain will get an $830,000 face lift to scrub away years of Roman soot that has discolored its marble statue.

The basin of the fountain also will be waterproofed during the spring cleaning and some cracks in the marble will be filled.

The work, which will take a year, will proceed in stages to ensure partial visibility of the fountain throughout the restoration, said project director Maria Luisa Cardilli. Its previous restoration occurred in 1956.

The fountain, conceived by Bernini in 1640, was completed 90 years later by Nicola Salvi. It is constructed of travertine and marble.