Rome Introduces €2 Tourist Fee at Iconic Trevi Fountain
The city of Rome has implemented a new €2 (approximately $2.35) fee for tourists wishing to access the Trevi Fountain up close, effective from Monday. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to manage visitor numbers at one of the world's most celebrated landmarks, improve the overall tourist experience, and generate revenue to offset the substantial maintenance costs associated with preserving Rome's extensive cultural heritage.
Managing Congestion and Funding Preservation
Officials estimate that the new fee could generate an additional €6.5 million ($7.6 million) annually for the city. This revenue is earmarked specifically for managing tourist flows in the heavily congested area surrounding the fountain and for the ongoing preservation of Rome's priceless cultural assets. The fee was introduced alongside a new €5 (nearly $6) tourist ticket for select city museums, with both measures exempting registered Rome residents. In fact, the extra income is expected to expand the number of city-run museums offering free entry to local inhabitants.
Positive Initial Reactions and Enhanced Access
The first tourists to experience the new system appeared largely unperturbed by the modest charge. Ilhan Musbah, a visitor from Morocco, remarked that the fee was a small price to pay for improved access, noting, "Before, there were problems accessing the fountain. There were a lot of people. Now, it's very easy. You can take photos, you feel good, you're comfortable, and on top of that 2 euros is not much." The fee, which can be paid online in advance, grants tourists priority access to the fountain's basin during prime daylight hours, while the view from the piazza above remains free, as does access after hours.
Part of a Broader Italian Tourism Strategy
This move follows a successful year-long pilot scheme that used controlled pathways and staggered entry to limit visitor numbers at the fountain's edge. Alessandro Onorato, Rome's assessor of tourism, suggested the fee was remarkably low for a site of such global renown, quipping, "I believe that if the Trevi Fountain were in New York, they would have charged at least $100." The Trevi charge aligns with similar ticketing systems at Rome's Pantheon and Venice's recent tourist day-tripper tax, both designed to combat overtourism. However, these Italian fees remain modest compared to measures elsewhere in Europe, such as the Louvre Museum's 45% price hike for most non-European visitors, raising tickets to €32 ($37).
A Legendary Landmark Adapts to Modern Pressures
The late Baroque masterpiece, featuring the Titan god Oceanus amidst cascading falls into a turquoise pool, was immortalised in Federico Fellini's film "La Dolce Vita." While bathing is now prohibited, the tradition of tossing a coin over one's shoulder to ensure a return to Rome endures. The new fee system represents the Eternal City's pragmatic approach to balancing its status as a global tourist magnet with the practical needs of heritage conservation and resident quality of life.
