Starting in February, tourists wanting to get a close-up look at Rome's Trevi Fountain will have to pay the equivalent of just over two dollars. Rome residents can continue to admire one of the city's most iconic sites free of charge.
Rome's City Council stipulates that access to the area will be payable between 9:00am and 10:00pm. There will be two entry points, one for Rome residents and the other for tourists. Major credit cards will be accepted.
The city's Tourism Commission decided to introduce the fee mainly, they say, to avoid overcrowding and improve security. But they still have to agree on the details.
MARIANO ANGELUCCI
President, Tourism Commission of Rome City Council
The possibility is being studied, but nothing has been decided yet. We are in a preliminary phase, considering an access point—not to the square itself, but to the section of steps leading to the fountain—both for security reasons and to improve usability of the site, since it is currently almost impossible to spend even five minutes enjoying the Trevi Fountain.
The Trevi Fountain is the second most visited monument in Rome, after the Colosseum. It's not the first time a tourist attraction in the Eternal City has introduced a pay-to-view. Visiting the Pantheon used to be free. Now it costs over five dollars. Needless to say, not everyone is happy.
CA
Trans. CRT
