Rome’s Trevi Fountain Shines Again: Renovation Complete with New Visitor Rules for Jubilee Year

Dec 23, 2024 1048

Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain has reopened to visitors following an extensive three-month renovation. This restoration was completed just in time for the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year, a major event expected to draw millions of pilgrims and tourists to the Italian capital. The meticulous work involved removing dirt, pollution, and limescale to restore the fountain's gleaming white marble and travertine surfaces.

In anticipation of the large crowds that the Jubilee Holy Year is expected to attract, the city of Rome has introduced a new visiting system to better manage the flow of visitors and protect the monument from damage caused by overcrowding. Under the new rules, access to the fountain is limited to 400 people at a time.

Visitors are now required to book their slots online in advance, with a nominal fee of €2 per person for a timed 30-minute visit. These measures aim to enhance the overall visitor experience while ensuring the preservation of one of Rome’s most treasured cultural and historical landmarks.

During the renovation period, a temporary pool was set up nearby to allow visitors to continue the centuries-old tradition of tossing coins into the fountain. This ritual, famously depicted in films like La Dolce Vita, symbolizes the wish to return to Rome and generates approximately €1.5 million annually. The proceeds from this tradition are donated to Caritas, a Catholic charity that supports various social and humanitarian causes.

The renovation and updated visiting regulations reflect the challenges of balancing tourism and heritage conservation. The Trevi Fountain attracts millions of visitors each year, and managing this influx while safeguarding the monument has been a growing concern for local authorities. Rome’s mayor, together with cultural heritage officials, emphasized that these changes are crucial for maintaining the fountain’s beauty and accessibility for future generations.

This restoration is part of a broader initiative to prepare Rome for the Jubilee Holy Year, which is celebrated every 25 years and draws millions of pilgrims to the city’s religious and cultural sites. Alongside the Trevi Fountain, other major landmarks in Rome are undergoing renovations or enhancements to ensure they are ready for the influx of visitors.

The reopening of the Trevi Fountain, with its glistening statues and cascading water, not only marks the completion of another chapter in the fountain’s long and storied history but also underscores the importance of preserving the cultural treasures that make Rome a unique and beloved destination. These updates signal a new era in the fountain’s accessibility, allowing visitors to enjoy its beauty in a more organized and sustainable way.

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