Tossing coins into Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain has long been a tourist custom, and it is said to guarantee your return to the Italian capital.
However, visitors have been requested to toss their coins over a plastic barrier and into a small temporary improvised “pool” that lies next to the attraction after it was recently emptied for renovation.
The pool was constructed primarily to prevent workers within the empty fountain from being struck by coins, according to city officials.
Additionally, it will guarantee that the site will continue to collect €1.5m ($1.6m) in coins that are thrown in each year, which will be sent to Caritas, a Catholic charity.
The pool has elicited conflicting reactions from visitors, with some finding the solution humorous and others describing the pool as the “saddest” thing they have seen.
One user wrote: “The little pool just set up in front of the empty, under-maintenance Trevi Fountain for tossing coins… The saddest thing I’ve seen in Italy in as long as I can remember.”
The little pool just set up in front of the empty, under-maintenance Trevi Fountain for tossing coins…
— Mambo Italiano (@mamboitaliano__) November 2, 2024
The saddest thing I’ve seen in Italy 🇮🇹 in as long as I can remember pic.twitter.com/ERPXdP3Zxa
While another said: “I waited six years to take my mom to Italy and the fountain is closed off due to next year’s jubilee. I was expecting it to be worse but at least she was able to see it. And there is even a pool for coin tossing.”
I waited six years to take my mom to Italy and the fountain is closed off due to next years jubilee. I was expecting it yo be worse buy at least she was able to sse it. And there is even a pool for coin tossing. Wont even go there. As of November 6, 2024, the Trevi Fountain in pic.twitter.com/5H2xaD9qJu
— Fuse Travels ( Feuza) (@Feuza) November 6, 2024
A third said: “Not quite the same...”
Not quite the same...#Rome #TreviFountain #TravelTuesday https://t.co/uXNiGCxgIS
— RudiGourmand (@RudiGourmand) November 5, 2024
Olivia Nieporte, an American student, told the the Guardian that she “chuckled” when she first saw it, and Fiona Hastings, a friend and fellow student, added, “It's still amazing”.
Beginning in early October, the massive €300,000 (about £249,819) refurbishment is anticipated to be completed in time for Rome's 2025 celebrations of a “jubilee” year in the Roman Catholic church, which are anticipated to attract millions of tourists to the city.
A metal gangway is currently being built across the empty fountain so that visitors may have a close-up look at the sculpture of Oceanus, the Titan god of Earth, which features galloping horses.
If the plan is successful, the walkway would eventually be changed to make room for charging visitors a €2 (£1.66) admission fee to approach closely enough to toss their money. This would start in April 2025.
Following the initial announcement of the measures, local businesses and citizens complained, and the city authorities have yet to completely approve them, including the cordoning off of the entire plaza.
