The famed Trevi Fountain in Rome, a magnet for tourists who traditionally toss coins into its waters, has been temporarily shut down due to ongoing construction work. The historic site typically garners more than 3,200 visitors per day, according to official figures. Meanwhile, a plain, temporary wishing well is now serving the eager visitors, attracting criticism for its lack of charm and aesthetic.
This construction is a step toward a planned initiative to levy an entry fee on the site’s estimated four million annual visitors. Local tourism official Alessandro Onorato underscored the need for the fee, around 2 dollars, to avoid the tourist-generated damage to the fragile art city and ensure a quality tourist experience as well as maintaining the city’s livability for locals. Tourists are presently allowed to survey the site from an elevated walkway before casting their coins into the temporary pool.
Following the construction work, visitors desiring prime viewing areas will need to make timed reservations. Implementing such regulation is a first since the fountain was constructed in 1732. The abrupt change has sparked a wave of online criticism, with some mockingly calling the temporary installation ‘the Trevi swimming pool’.
This move is among recent measures Mediterranean destinations have adopted to tackle overtourism. Destinations like Mykonos and Santorini in Greece are reportedly contemplating a 22 dollar visitor’s tax.