Due to Overcrowding, Access to Rome’s Trevi Fountain May Soon Be Restricted

In the near future, capturing a selfie at the Trevi Fountain—one of Rome’s most famous sites—might require more than just spare change for a wish. To maintain the timeless allure of this cherished fountain, the city of Rome is considering a new approach to manage the influx of visitors: an entrance fee.

Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri confirmed in an interview with national newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore that the city is actively pursuing a plan to reduce tourist crowds at the Trevi Fountain through a reservation system that limits access.

"We are contemplating this very practical idea," Gualtieri remarked, emphasizing that the current levels of tourism are making it increasingly challenging to protect the 18th-century landmark.

Post-COVID-19, there has been a significant rise in tourism, with a record-setting 50 million visitors flocking to Rome in 2023. Projections for 2025 suggest that visitor numbers could nearly double, partly due to the Jubilee—a Catholic tradition dating back to the 1300s, characterized by pilgrimages and ceremonies. This event occurs every 25 years in Rome and spans the entire year. What implications does this have for a popular attraction like the Trevi Fountain? Likely an increase in crowds, litter, and pickpockets, leading to greater wear and tear on the monument and its surrounding square.

What we currently know about the proposed reservation system for the Trevi Fountain

Rome’s city council is exploring the possibility of implementing ticketed entry to the Trevi Fountain. According to a Instagram Reel from councilman Alessandro Onorato, tourists—excluding residents—may be charged two euros for tickets. This reservation-only ticket would permit a limited number of visitors to access the fountain's front row and would hypothetically include a ban on food and litter near the UNESCO World Heritage site, addressing ongoing waste concerns in the area.

Although there won't be any turnstiles, the city is considering establishing two zones: the piazza would remain accessible for anyone to stroll through freely, while those wishing to approach the fountain for the classic coin toss and photo opportunity would need to reserve a 30-minute time slot.

This isn't the first instance of Rome implementing a ticketing system for a previously free landmark. In July 2023, the Italian Ministry of Culture and Vatican officials established a reservation requirement for the Pantheon, one of ancient Rome’s most significant and well-preserved temples. Additionally, in 2008, the Roman Forum transitioned from free access to ticket-only entry, leading to frustration and long queues for both visitors and locals.

"The ticket policy has created a bottleneck at the Pantheon," remarked archaeologist and Rome resident Darius Arya. "Introducing a line at the Trevi Fountain would be a catastrophe. It would alter the experience. Remember, the Trevi Fountain is an experience, not an amusement ride."

Standing at 86 feet tall and 161 feet wide, the Trevi Fountain is the grandest fountain in the Eternal City and its most opulent. Designed by artist Nicola Salvi in 1732, it features a stunning scene of Oceanus riding a shell chariot pulled by sea horses, cascading water in a magnificent display. Since its completion in 1762, this beautiful baroque fountain has continuously attracted visitors, including Anita Ekberg in Federico Fellini’s iconic 1960 film La Dolce Vita.

The water that flows into the Trevi Fountain originates from the Acqua Vergine, one of ancient Rome's original aqueducts. While both the water and fountain are treasured, visitors have not shown the same respect. They’ve tossed bread into the fountain for pigeons, littered the area, jumped in as Ekberg famously did, stripped down to bathe in the basin, and even dyed the water for protests.

Despite weekly cleanings and coin collections conducted by the Catholic charity Caritas and a recent 2-million-euro restoration funded by Italian fashion house Fendi, the ongoing pressures on the fountain are nearly relentless. This is precisely what the city of Rome aims to alleviate with the proposed ticketing system.

"We aim to transform the visit to the Trevi Fountain into a genuine experience rather than a frantic scramble for the perfect selfie angle. We also want to prevent visitors from arriving with fast food bags," Onorato added. "Our goal is to ensure this monument is preserved."

There's considerable excitement surrounding the proposal, especially with the upcoming Jubilee and ongoing discussions about how to tackle overtourism. However, don’t anticipate a ticketing system for the Trevi Fountain anytime soon. In Italy, it often takes a significant amount of time for proposals to become reality.