A tourist is seen climbing into the Trevi Fountain in Rome to refill her water bottle in a viral video.

The video of a tourist scaling the iconic Trevi Fountain in Rome to top up her water bottle has been circulating online.

The clip, filmed last month, shows the woman stepping across rocks to reach the heart of the 18th-century monument, while bystanders watch in disbelief.

After filling her bottle from one of the fountain's spouts, she tries to walk away, but a security guard blows a whistle and approaches her.

The two engage in a short exchange before the guard escorts the tourist away. It is still unclear what happened to her afterward, or if she faced any legal consequences.

Tourists who enter the fountain in Rome can face fines of up to 500 euros, as it is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

According to legend, tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain guarantees a return to Rome.

The fountain is currently situated just below the main square, with visitors needing to descend a set of steps to reach it. However, many tend to linger on the steps or sit on the edge, prompting calls for the installation of checkpoints and increased police presence in the area.

Since the surge in international travel post-Covid-19, tourists in Rome have faced criticism for their disregard towards the city's historic monuments.

Just last month, a tourist was filmed carving his name into the 2,000-year-old walls of the Colosseum, leading Italy's culture minister to demand a manhunt for both him and his companion.

In other parts of Italy, tourists often swim in Venice’s canals, which also serve as the city's sewage system. Last August, two Australians were filmed surfing the Grand Canal, and in May, a group of Americans went for a skinny dip near the 14th-century Arsenale landmark.

Also in August, an Australian was caught riding his moped around the ancient ruins of Pompeii, and in October, an American damaged two priceless sculptures at the Vatican Museum after being denied access to see the pope.

Earlier this month, a group of young German tourists were accused of knocking over a valuable statue at a villa in northern Italy while posing for social media photos, according to the villa's manager.