The idea of making access to the Trevi Fountain limited seems to be more than just a fleeting or temporary solution. With over 5 million visitors a year, the constant flow of people is slowly damaging and wearing down the splendor of one of the most iconic symbols of the Eternal City. However, is introducing an entry fee, like with other monuments, really the solution?
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The ticket price is only symbolic
1 Euro for tourists, but only during the day. In the evening, when the flow of visitors decreases, the fountain can breathe a little, and tourists will also be able to access the site for free. If you’ve already visited the Trevi Fountain, you’re probably wondering how it’s even possible to close off such a landmark to free tourism given its central location. Indeed, there are multiple access points, and it’s certainly not feasible to close all of them during the day while letting locals pass through and charging only tourists. Additionally, security systems would need to be installed or security staff increased.
So far, neither Mayor Gualtieri nor the city’s tourism councilor has made any definitive or concrete proposals public.
The most plausible idea at the moment seems to involve restricting access only via the stairs that surround the fountain, while leaving the other entry points free for transit. As mentioned earlier, access to the steps would be free in the evening as well.
The reasons behind the decision: safety and preservation
The Trevi Fountain, beyond attracting art and history scholars, culture enthusiasts, and first-time tourists, is also famous for its coin-throwing tradition. Every day, thousands of visitors crowd the site, and according to the mayor, the fountain is slowly deteriorating. Preservation is the primary motivation behind the new proposal, but the mayor has also noted that overtourism often makes it difficult to even approach the fountain. This plan aims to reduce the crowding and spread visitors more evenly throughout the day.
Everything is still uncertain, and further clarifications are expected in the coming months, but the proposal has already sparked criticism. Is closing off just one access point really the solution? And, more importantly, can a symbolic 1 Euro ticket effectively manage the crowd?
