ROME — Rome, the eternal city, recently introduced a temporary feature that has sparked quite a conversation. In front of the iconic Trevi Fountain, a makeshift pool has been constructed, serving as a coin-tossing spot for tourists while the baroque masterpiece undergoes renovation. The response from the public was immediate and, unfortunately, not very positive.
The pool, which was set up last week, is made of bare plywood and is surrounded by a tall fence draped with clear plastic. Tourists are encouraged to toss their coins over the fence, aiming for the water below. However, the scattered coins around the pool’s edges highlight the difficulty of this task.
City officials have clarified that the primary purpose of the pool is to shield the workers inside the drained fountain from coin-related injuries. Additionally, it ensures that the site continues to collect approximately $1.6 million annually in coins, which is donated to the Catholic charity, Caritas.
“The basin, which is temporary and was installed during the exceptional maintenance work on the fountain, is used to collect coins thrown by tourists,” explained Claudio Parisi Presicce, Capitoline superintendent for cultural heritage. “It is a well-established and much-loved tradition.”
However, not everyone shares this sentiment. Online critics have been quick to express their disapproval, with some comparing the new construction to a footbath, “architectural infantilism,” and a “small children’s pool where they pee in the water in the summer.”
One user, posting under the name Mambo Italiano, lamented, “The saddest thing I’ve seen in Italy in as long as I can remember.”
According to popular belief — or at least Hollywood — if you throw one coin over your shoulder into the fountain, it guarantees a return to Rome. Two coins mean you’ll fall in love with a charming Italian, and three coins ensure you’ll marry that person. Other legends suggest it’s a way to pay tribute to the gods of water.
Admission fee
The extensive renovation, costing around $327,550, began in early October and is expected to be completed just in time for the 2025 jubilee year celebrations in Rome, which are anticipated to attract millions of visitors to the city.
In the meantime, a metal gangway is being constructed over the empty fountain, allowing tourists to get a close view of the fountain’s sculpture Oceanus, the Titan God of Earth, depicted with galloping horses.
The walkway will eventually be modified to facilitate the charging of an admission fee of about $2 for tourists to get close enough to toss their coins. If approved, this would begin in April 2025.
City authorities have not yet fully approved measures including the cordoning off of the entire square following complaints from local shops and residents after it was first announced. Coins are removed twice a day and the pool is emptied and refilled every morning.
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