Rome, Nov 9 (EFE).- The Trevi Fountain opens this Saturday a walkway that allows you to closely observe, while it is being restored, one of the most emblematic monuments in Rome, an experiment that will allow evaluating the future paid entrance and that has sparked controversy among merchants in the area.
“The perspective is truly spectacular,” said the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, at the inauguration, while walking through the peculiar installation, which “will allow a truly unique enjoyment even during these important and necessary maintenance works.”
The famous fountain, a jewel of Roman baroque, is a destination for tourists from all over the world, visited by between 10,000 and 12,000 people a day, according to City Hall sources.
The viewing platform comes after another controversial installation erected in the fountain during restoration work, a kind of bathtub so that tourists can carry out the tradition of tossing a coin while the famous fountain remains empty.
Merchants ask for it to be withdrawn
The merchants of the square believe that this metal structure damages the monumental Baroque work integrated into the Renaissance façade of Palazzo Poli and next Monday they plan to meet with the capital’s Tourism Councilor, Alesandro Onorato, and Commerce Councilor, Monica Lucarelli, to ask him to leave.
“We do not agree because, as you can see, it is very ugly and we are afraid that it will damage the fountain,” Alessandra Ciotti, owner of the Pesci Pharmacy, the oldest in Rome, founded in 1552, tells EFE.
The shops and businesses are also “concerned about the future closure” and want “more dialogue with the City Council”, for their “suggestions” to be heard because although they understand that “it is necessary to do something to contain tourism”, they must “have everyone’s agreement,” explains the pharmacist.
Gualtieri, however, believes that “they are wrong” because the walkway will allow “tourists to continue coming even if there is construction,” while warning that anyone who throws coins into the empty fountain from the walkway or eats while walking along it will be fined.
The controversial walkway will also allow the City Council to study its plan to regulate the number of tourists visiting the monument and assess whether there will finally be a charge for accessing the stairs that lead to the fountain.
From now on, entry on the platform will be limited to between approximately 100 and 130 people, although that number may vary, so that they can simultaneously observe the details of the sculptural complex dominated by the imposing representation of the Fontana sea, built in 1762 on one of the aqueducts of ancient Rome by Pope Clement XII.
The objective is “to study better management of the lines of tourist groups and avoid constant crowding,” Onorato declared during the presentation of the project a few weeks ago.
«A different experience»
Tourists, in general, are pleasantly surprised by the vision that the walkway provides, as Maximiliamo, an Argentine history professor, told EFE that he had “criticized it a lot” for the aesthetics, but that seeing the Fontana like this had been ” a different experience by allowing you to get closer to the famous ocean.
Aída, from Azerbaijan, was excited because it was “impressive to be so close,” while the Colombian Alexander prefers it “without a walkway and with water” because even though it looks “a little closer, the grace is lost.”
The restoration work that began on October 7 should be completed, according to the City Council, before the Jubilee begins on December 24, a holy year in which some 30 million pilgrims are expected to arrive in Rome, the most visited city in Europe in 2023 with 50 million tourists.
After the works, the walkway will be dismantled, but an initially free containment system will be maintained to avoid crowds around this monument, the scene of great film scenes, which could end up being definitive.
The controversy surrounding the Fontana arose a few months ago when Onorato proposed that visitors will pay two euros to access the stairs with the aim of achieving more “responsible, slow tourism that respects the city and that tourists have a positive memory.” ”Onorato noted.
If adopted, the payment gateway could be operational next spring.
It is not the first time that a walkway crosses the Trevi Fountain glass, it was also placed during the almost 17 months of its last cleaning, which concluded in November 2017 with the patronage of the Roman firm Fendi, which in 2016 celebrated its 90 years of history with a parade on its waters directed by Karl Lagerfeld.
.
#Trevi #Fountain #close #controversial #walkway
Or being an eyesore, but upon visiting, he felt it offered “a different experience” of the fountain. He added, “You can see the details of the sculptures up close, which is something you can’t appreciate from a distance.”
The walkway is designed to accommodate small groups and provide a unique vantage point while the restoration efforts continue. Tourists can marvel at the intricate baroque details of the fountain, including its majestic sea god and accompanying figures. The city’s aim is to ensure that visitors can still engage with the fountain while addressing the essential maintenance it requires.
While some merchants remain concerned that the walkway may detract from the beauty of the fountain and negatively affect local businesses, the city council maintains that it will enrich the overall tourist experience. The situation is evolving, and the council is open to feedback from both tourists and local business owners as they monitor the effectiveness of this initiative.
As discussions continue, the Trevi Fountain will remain a focal point of Italy’s cultural heritage, balancing the needs of preservation and the importance of tourism in Rome. Future decisions regarding access and potential fees will depend heavily on the insights gained from this unique viewing experience.
