The Trevi Fountain in Rome, a famous landmark, is currently closed for maintenance, leading to disappointment among tourists. A temporary and makeshift pool has been set up, made of plastic and plywood, allowing visitors to still toss coins and make wishes despite the fountain being drained of water. This maintenance is expected to last until the end of the year, with approximately 1.4 million euros collected in coins from the fountain in 2022.
Many travelers have expressed their displeasure on social media regarding the temporary arrangement. Comments have included descriptions of the pool as “kinda tacky” and “cheap and ugly,” while others lamented that it detracts from the fountain’s beauty. Despite these critiques, some users acknowledged that it allows for continued coin tossing and that crowds remained large during the closure.
This incident coincides with preparations for Italy’s Jubilee, where officials seek to manage tourist numbers effectively at the Trevi Fountain. There are proposals to allocate time slots for visitors and to implement a small fee for non-residents, while locals could access the site for free. Rome’s Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, highlighted the growing difficulty in managing this iconic attraction amid rising visitor numbers.
The Trevi Fountain’s temporary closure for maintenance has sparked significant public reaction, primarily criticism of the makeshift pool replacing its water. Despite disappointment from many tourists, some are grateful for the opportunity to still interact with the site. As Rome approaches its Holy Year Jubilee, officials are considering strategies to alleviate overcrowding, with proposals for timed entries and symbolic fees for tourists.
