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The famous Trevi Fountain in Rome will soon charge an entrance fee

The coins that tourists throw into the Trevi Fountain are donated to Caritas, which uses them to support people in need. (Image from March 23)
The coins that tourists throw into the Trevi Fountain are donated to Caritas, which uses them to support people in need. (Image from March 23)

Keystone/EPA/ANSA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO

Soon you won't be able to throw coins into the fountain in Rome for free anymore, because the city wants to charge admission to the city's most famous fountain.

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  • In order to better regulate mass tourism, Rome is considering charging an entrance fee of two euros for access to the Trevi Fountain.
  • With the ticket system, City Councilor Onorato wants to improve the visitor experience and avoid crowds.
  • Similar measures were tested in Venice with a five-euro fee for day visitors.

At the Trevi Fountain in Rome, it is traditional to throw a coin backwards over your shoulder into the water. Soon, tourists will be able to get rid of their coins in front of the fountain, as the Italian capital is considering introducing an entrance fee for the fountain.

“Our idea is to introduce a two-euro card for entry to the area around the fountain's water basin,” Alessandro Onorato, the Roman city councilor responsible for tourism, announced on social media.

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous sights in Rome. The area around the monumental fountain, which was built in the 18th century, is constantly crowded. The piazza in front of it and the water basin are full of tourists from morning to evening. “We want to make the visit a real experience and not a chaotic crush of tourists looking for the best selfie,” emphasized Onorato.

Access to the fountain could cost two euros

Like many other cities in the Mediterranean country, Rome is struggling with mass tourism. This summer, tourism in Italy's capital recorded record numbers. “But now we have to ensure that tourism is compatible with the lives of Romans, that it becomes more sustainable and can be integrated into everyday life in the city,” says Onorato. To this end, a type of ticket reservation system is to be introduced. This will mean that tickets for tourists will cost around two euros – but entry will remain free for Romans.

So far, however, this is still just an idea, as the city administration stresses. “It is a very concrete idea that we have decided to examine and explore in more detail,” the news agency Ansa quoted Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri as saying. It is still unclear when such an entrance fee could be decided and come into force.

Venice is also struggling with mass tourism. This year, the lagoon city tested an entrance fee of five euros for day visitors in order to get the tourist crowds under control.

SDA

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