The Trevi Fountain, one of Rome's most iconic landmarks, is currently undergoing extensive renovations at a cost of €300,000. Instead of the grand fountain, visitors now find a simple rectangular box made of wooden panels, which has sparked mixed reactions among the tourists.
"I laughed to myself when I first saw it," says Olivia Nifort, an American student visiting Rome for the first time. Along with her friend, they had to throw their coins over a transparent barrier into the improvised pool.
The temporary Trevi Fountain tub for tossing coins is now full of water, with Romans dubbing it the Trevi Swimming Pool. Photo Welcome to Favelas. pic.twitter.com/SXbco6aKT0
— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) October 31, 2024
Mariana Sterkstade, a visitor from the Netherlands, sees the positive side: "I think it's a sweet gesture that people can still do this." On the other hand, Daniela Carbone found the temporary pool "ugly," but still gave her children coins to throw. "You have to keep the kids happy," she explained.
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According to local tradition, tossing a coin into the Baroque fountain guarantees a return visit to Rome. This tradition, rooted in an ancient pagan ritual, brings in about €1.5 million annually, which has been donated to the Catholic charity organization Caritas for the past 15 years.
To manage the heavy influx of tourists, the city of Rome plans to restrict access to the fountain area. Visitors will need to book tickets online in advance and pay a €2- fee for entry, which will be limited to 30 minutes. This measure aims to tackle the increased tourism expected ahead of the Jubilee Year 2025, projected to attract over 35 million visitors to the city.
The temporary Trevi Fountain tub for tossing coins is now full of water, with Romans dubbing it the Trevi Swimming Pool. Photo Welcome to Favelas. pic.twitter.com/SXbco6aKT0
— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) October 31, 2024
"My parents visited here in 1999 and described a completely different experience," said a tourist visiting Rome with her family for her parents' 50th anniversary celebration. "I understand the renovations are necessary, and although the pool is a bit strange, it's a nice idea."
On social media, the temporary setup has been met with cynicism, with some users dubbing it the "Trevi Pool." One commenter wrote: "Imagine flying 14 hours to see the Trevi Fountain, only to find a city pool instead."
Katya Movento, visiting Rome for the sixth time, attests that tossing a coin does indeed work but shared her disappointment with its current state: "Finding a pool this time—it's just not the same."