Rome has initiated a new entry fee for tourists visiting the iconic Trevi Fountain, a measure introduced by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri to manage the overwhelming number of visitors. Starting February 1st, tourists will be required to pay $2.35 to access the fountain from 9 AM to 9 PM, while entry outside these hours remains free. Romans, however, will continue to enjoy free access. This policy aims to regulate the estimated daily influx of up to 70,000 visitors, as reported by the mayor to CBS News. Deutsche Welle noted that the viewing area will be limited to 400 people at any given time.
The potential revenue from this fee could reach approximately $7.6 million, helping to cover the fountain’s maintenance costs, which have become necessary after centuries of wear. Last year, the city undertook significant maintenance work to remove calcium deposits and rust as part of preparations for the Vatican’s Jubilee year. During this period, visitors tossed coins into a temporary rectangular pool, an act steeped in legend; a single coin toss supposedly promises a return to Rome, a second suggests a romantic encounter, and a third symbolizes impending marriage.
The Trevi Fountain is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, conceived initially in 1640 under Pope Urban VIII and completed in 1762 after design competitions and delays. The final design, by Nicola Salvi, prominently features Neptune, the Roman sea god, and utilizes water from the Acqua Vergine aqueduct.
The new entry fee policy extends to four additional cultural sites: the Villa of Maxentius, the Napoleonic Museum, the Baracco Museum, the Carlo Bilotti Museum, and the Pietro Canonica Museum, with some tickets priced at $6. Roman citizens are exempt from these charges as part of the city’s commitment to treating culture as a civic right. Tickets for these sites can be purchased online or in person.
This initiative follows a similar approach taken at Rome’s Pantheon, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to preserve these historic sites while maintaining accessibility for locals.
