Rome’s city government plans to introduce controlled access for visitors to the Trevi Fountain—setting visitor caps, timed entries, and possibly an entry fee to manage crowding and protect the monument.
Reason for the New Measures
Officials say that the number of daily visitors to the Trevi Fountain has become difficult to manage, causing safety, preservation, and aesthetic problems. Tourists often crowd the site, misuse areas like the fountain basin, and contribute to wear and tear. The city aims to protect this iconic monument by introducing stricter rules on how many people can visit at once.
What the Plan Includes
Under the proposal, visitors would enter via a central staircase and exit through a side gate. A temporary walkway will surround the fountain area during ongoing restoration work. During this period, access will be limited to about 400 people at a time. Locals may have free access, while tourists could be charged a small fee (provisionally around one euro).
Restoration & Experimental Phase
The restrictions will be introduced alongside major restoration work ahead of an upcoming Jubilee event. Transparent panels will be erected around parts of the fountain, which will temporarily be emptied for repairs. The restricted access and experimental flows are intended to test how best to balance public access, monument conservation, and tourist experience.
Impacts & Reactions
Supporters of the measure see it as a necessary step toward more sustainable tourism and improving visitor experience. Critics, however, worry about the enforcement, possible queues, fairness in tickets or reservations, and whether it might affect spontaneous visits. Locals are watching closely how these changes will shape both the monument’s surroundings and everyday life in the area.
