Rome Mayor Gualtieri Announces Major Trevi Fountain Restoration Project

On Saturday, November 9, 2024, the Trevi Fountain reopened to tourists following the commencement of a significant restoration project. The newly installed metal walkway allows visitors a closer look at the fountain, which is undergoing thorough cleaning. A long-standing tradition of tossing coins into the water has been banned, with a fine of €50 imposed on violators. Coins can now only be thrown into a temporary basin set up for this purpose. The €330,000 restoration project aims to preserve the baroque masterpiece and will run until December. The city plans to limit visitor numbers on the walkway and throughout the fountain area in order to enhance the visitor experience while managing crowd levels. By understanding peak usage times, officials hope to strike a balance that maintains both conservation and tourism. American tourists have expressed mixed feelings about the crowd control measures being implemented. Some, like Florida resident Arlene Speling, voiced skepticism regarding their efficacy, highlighting the fountain's status as a must-see attraction in Rome. This restoration is part of larger preparedness efforts for the Vatican's Holy Jubilee in 2025, which is expected to draw millions of additional visitors to the city. The last major maintenance of the fountain occurred in 2014, indicating the ongoing need for conservation efforts to sustain its historical significance amid the pressures of tourism.