For tourists who want to make a wish and throw a coin into Rome’s Trevi Fountain on their way back, coins are now
must be thrown
over a plastic barrier into a small makeshift pool. It has been placed while the fountain is being emptied and maintained, according to the Euronews portal.
The rectangular box, which is not decorated and is placed in front of the fountain, has caused mixed reactions.
“I think it’s a very nice gesture that people can still do it,” Marianna Strekstadt from the Netherlands told the portal on Friday.
On the other hand, Daniela Carbone, interviewed by the portal, believes that the pool is “ugly”. However, she still gave her children some coins to throw into the pool. “We have to meet the wishes of the children,” she said.
The city’s legends say that throwing a coin into the baroque fountain will ensure a return to Rome. This tradition is estimated to bring in 1.5 million euros annually, which has been donated to the Catholic charity Caritas for 15 years.
In order to manage the huge number of tourists visiting the Trevi Fountain, Rome city officials are developing a plan to make the attraction pay. Visitors will need to book a visit online and then pay a €2 entry fee. After entering the fountain area, they will have 30 minutes to enjoy the fountain.
Access is currently limited to a limited number of tourists while maintenance work on the fountain is completed, which is likely a harbinger of the introduction of a fee in 2025.
The maintenance work is part of a wider beautification project to prepare the Eternal City for next year’s Roman Catholic Jubilee celebrations.
Hosted by the Roman Catholic Church, this sacred event takes place every 25 years. From its beginning on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2024) to its conclusion on Father’s Day (January 6, 2026), up to 35 million pilgrims will come to the city to seek forgiveness, experience renewal and enjoy celebrations.
Trevi Fountain in Rome. Photo: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
Coins Over Barriers: A New Twist at Rome’s Trevi Fountain
Ah, Rome—the only city where wishes come true… but only if you can throw a coin over a plastic barrier! That’s right, folks! In a move that screams, “We care about maintaining our historical sites, but we also want your euros,” tourists can now continue their sacred coin-tossing rituals but with added intrigue: the gymnastic challenge of tossing your hopes and dreams into a makeshift pool!
The Barrier of Dreams
As those lovely Euros flutter through the air, hurled over a rectangular, unadorned box that’s more reminiscent of a construction site than a baroque wonder, we must ask ourselves: is this the wishful thinking of a city in peril or the ingenious grasp of city officials at work? Marianna Strekstadt from the Netherlands certainly thinks it’s a nice gesture—one that allows the tradition to carry on. Bless her! But let’s not forget Daniela Carbone, who with all the tact of a Roman diva deemed it “ugly.” Yet here’s the kicker: she still threw the coins in like a good mother, because who can resist the whims of children? Not I!
The Historical Dime Drop
They say that tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain ensures your return to the Eternal City. That’s right, for an estimated 1.5 million euros a year, legends and tourists alike support the Catholic charity Caritas. Who knew that a few coins clattering into the water could fund something meaningful? Meanwhile, city officials are preparing a master plan to monetize nostalgia—because apparently, it’s not enough to just throw coins; now, you’ll cozy up to an online booking system, and sting the wallet for a €2 entry fee. Can you believe it? Throwing money at a fountain isn’t enough anymore; now you’ve got to pay to **pay**! Bravo, Rome!
Covid and Caprice
While tourists are tamed under restrictions during maintenance, don’t worry—the fountain will soon be basking in beauty for the 2025 Roman Catholic Jubilee celebrations. Up to 35 million pilgrims are expected to flood the city, fleeing to Rome in a sacred quest for forgiveness and perhaps… better planning!
There’s a certain comic irony here, isn’t there? A sacred site that’s become a pay-per-view show! Perhaps we ought to set up a Patreon page—‘Watch Us Watch the Fountain!’ Sounds like a smashing idea! But I digress.
Conclusion
As Romans prepare for the influx of pilgrims with open arms and empty pockets, let’s not forget what this is all really about. Just like a penny for your thoughts, a coin for your wishes may require an additional fee in the future! Thanks, plastic barriers, for giving us all something to complain about while we throw our money into the fountain and onto the bricks of overpriced pizza joints!
Trevi Fountain in Rome. Photo: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
For tourists eager to partake in the cherished tradition of tossing a coin into Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain, a new process has been implemented. Coins are now required to be tossed over a temporary plastic barrier into a small makeshift pool at the base of the fountain. This adjustment, made during routine maintenance and cleaning of the fountain, has been reported by the Euronews portal.
The plain rectangular box, which lacks decorative embellishments and stands prominently in front of the beloved fountain, has not gone unnoticed, sparking a range of reactions from visitors.
“I think it’s a very nice gesture that people can still do it,” said Marianna Strekstadt from the Netherlands, sharing her thoughts with the portal on Friday.
In contrast, Daniela Carbone expressed her disappointment regarding the aesthetic impact of the new pool, calling it “ugly.” Nevertheless, she complied with her children’s desires by giving them coins to toss into the makeshift pool, stating, “We have to meet the wishes of the children.”
According to local legends, tossing a coin into the stunning baroque fountain is believed to guarantee a return to the enchanting city of Rome. This age-old tradition is not only steeped in romance but also contributes to the community; it is estimated to generate around 1.5 million euros annually, with those funds channeled to the Catholic charity Caritas for the past 15 years.
To better manage the throngs of tourists flocking to the Trevi Fountain, city officials in Rome are devising a strategy to monetize the experience. Under the proposed regulations, visitors will be required to book their visit online and will have to pay a €2 entry fee. Once inside the fountain area, guests will be granted a brief 30-minute window to admire and enjoy the breathtaking landmark.
Currently, access to the fountain is restricted to a limited number of tourists as maintenance work is ongoing. This limitation is seen as a precursor to the upcoming implementation of entry fees scheduled for 2025.
The ongoing maintenance is part of a grander vision aimed at enhancing the city’s allure in preparation for the forthcoming Roman Catholic Jubilee celebrations scheduled for next year.
This significant religious event, hosted by the Roman Catholic Church, occurs every 25 years. Kicking off on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2024) and concluding on Father’s Day (January 6, 2026), it is anticipated that up to 35 million pilgrims will converge on the city to seek forgiveness, undergo spiritual renewal, and revel in the joyous festivities.
Trevi Fountain in Rome. Photo: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
**Interview with Marianna Strekstadt and Daniela Carbone: Reactions to the New Coin-Tossing Process at Trevi Fountain**
**Interviewer**: Today, we’re joined by Marianna Strekstadt from the Netherlands and Daniela Carbone, who just visited the Trevi Fountain. Thank you both for being here! Marianna, let’s start with you. What was your initial reaction to the temporary plastic barrier at the fountain?
**Marianna**: Thank you for having me! Honestly, I thought it was a very nice gesture that they found a way for tourists to still toss coins into the fountain. It keeps the tradition alive even when the fountain itself is being maintained. Yes, it might not be the same as before, but it’s important to keep that connection to the legend of the fountain.
**Interviewer**: That’s a great point! Daniela, you had a different take on the new setup. Can you share your thoughts?
**Daniela**: Sure! While I appreciate the effort to allow people to toss coins, I honestly find the makeshift pool quite ugly. It seems so out of place, especially in front of such a beautiful landmark. But at the end of the day, my kids wanted to throw their coins, and I had to meet their wishes. It’s all about making memories, after all!
**Interviewer**: It sounds like both of you can appreciate the sentiment behind the change, even if you have differing opinions on the aesthetic. Marianna, do you think this new process will affect the charm of the Trevi Fountain?
**Marianna**: A little bit, perhaps. But tradition is what really matters. People still get to make their wishes, and as long as that continues, I think the charm will remain. Besides, a little barrier isn’t going to diminish the magic of tossing a coin and hoping to return to Rome.
**Interviewer**: Daniela, you mentioned your children’s wishes – did they enjoy the experience despite the new barrier?
**Daniela**: Yes, they did! Despite my feelings about the aesthetics, their excitement when tossing the coins made it worthwhile. The joy of making a wish seemed to outweigh any visual disappointments for me.
**Interviewer**: Absolutely! Now, with the proposed €2 entry fee coming in the future, do you both think tourists will still embrace this tradition?
**Marianna**: I think they will. Despite the fee, the experience of visiting and wishing at the Trevi Fountain is something travelers may not want to miss. It’s part of the allure of Rome!
**Daniela**: I agree. While I’ll miss tossing coins without extra fees, the experience itself is so special that many people will still pay for it. Rome is unique, after all, and people will always want to be part of its magic.
**Interviewer**: Great insights! Thank you both for sharing your thoughts on this remarkable part of Rome’s culture. Here’s hoping the adjustments preserve the spirit of the Trevi Fountain!
