Tourists visiting the Eternal City for a glimpse of Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain are finding themselves facing an unexpected disappointment.
While the celebrated Baroque landmark is closed for maintenance, visitors have instead been tossing coins into a makeshift, rectangular pool encased in unadorned plywood, sparking frustration and disappointment among those who hoped to experience the real thing.
The Trevi Fountain, one of the world’s most famous fountains, is temporarily drained for routine maintenance, a process that has left tourists grappling with an underwhelming alternative.
The plain structure erected in front of the fountain is, at best, functional, but the lack of aesthetic appeal has made it an eyesore for many visitors.
While some tourists appreciate the effort to maintain the tradition, others feel the replacement lacks the charm of Rome’s usual grandeur.
“I think it is a very sweet gesture that people can still do that,” Marianna Strekstadt, a tourist from the Netherlands, told The Independent.
Others, however, found it harder to hide their disappointment.
“It’s ugly,” said Daniela Carbone, who still allowed her children to toss coins in the substitute pool.
“We have to please the children,” she explained with a laugh.
In ordinary times, coins tossed into the Trevi Fountain build up for days before they are collected by Caritas, a Catholic charity that uses the funds for food banks, soup kitchens, and welfare projects across Rome.
The tradition of throwing coins into the fountain, a ritual said to ensure a future return to Rome, has been an enduring part of the city’s appeal for decades.
But the temporary loss of the beloved fountain is only one symptom of a broader transformation taking place across Rome.
The Italian capital is undergoing a sweeping facelift as it prepares for the 2025 Roman Catholic Holy Year, an event that could attract a staggering 32 million pilgrims and tourists.
The surge in visitors has prompted city officials to rethink access to the Trevi Fountain.
Rome authorities are considering a plan to limit entry by requiring tourists to pre-book time slots online.
Under the proposed scheme, visitors would pay a fee of 2 euros (£1.60) and have a 30 minute window to enjoy the landmark up close, a system designed to mitigate congestion while preserving the experience for future tourists.
For now, however, many travellers are adjusting to the sight of their euros disappearing into a makeshift box instead of the famous fountain.