Rome to implement queuing system when Trevi Fountain reopens after restoration

Rome’s well-known Trevi Fountain has reopened after three months of restoration.

Constructed within the 18th century by Italian architect Nicola Salvi on the facade of the Poli Palace, the historic fountain is among the most visited locations within the metropolis.

Between 10,000 and 12,000 vacationers visited the Trevi Fountain every day, however a brand new queuing system was put in to stop massive crowds from gathering close to the monument.

Talking on Sunday, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri stated imposing the restrict “would permit everybody to raised benefit from the fountain, with out crowds or confusion.”

Gualtieri additionally stated metropolis officers have been contemplating charging a modest admission price to fund upkeep of the fountain.

The reopening on Sunday occurred in gentle rain within the presence of a number of hundred vacationers, a lot of whom adopted the mayor by throwing a coin into the fountain.

The cleansing mission, which lasted three months, concerned eradicating mould and calcium encrustations.

The fountain and different key websites within the metropolis have been cleaned forward of the Roman Catholic Church’s jubilee which begins on Christmas Eve.

Its poor structural situation was exposed in 2012 when pieces of its elaborate cornice began to fall after a very harsh winter which required a renovation of a number of million euros the next 12 months.

Making a want and throwing a coin into the water is such a practice that metropolis authorities used to gather round €10,000 (£8,300; $10,500) per week.

The cash was donated to a charity that gives meals to the poor.

• Commissioned by Pope Clement XII in 1730
• It’s the finish level of one of many aqueducts that equipped water to historic Rome.
• The Acqua Vergine travels a complete of 20 km earlier than flowing into the fountain.
• Vacationers can drink from a particular faucet hidden on one facet
• In response to legend, the water supply was found in 19 BC by thirsty Roman troopers led to the location by a younger virgin – therefore why it’s known as Virgin Waters.
• The custom of throwing cash into the fountain was made well-known by Frank Sinatra’s Three Cash within the Fountain within the 1954 romantic comedy of the identical identify.