'Abysmal and Demonic': Tourists Hate the New Trevi Fountain in Rome.

 

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The Trevi Fountain was finished in 1762 and designed by architect Nicola Salvi, though later completed by Giuseppe Pannini (two well-known artists in the world of art history). At the fountain’s center is the god Oceanus, flanked by Tritons (similar to mermen) and sea horses, symbolizing the taming of the waters — something the Roman empire was among the first to do, thanks to a system of complex aqueducts built starting around 300 BCE. It’s one of the top sights in Rome, drawing an estimated 1,200 visitors per hour during peak times and surrounded by a host of Airbnbs that stay busy thanks to their location.

The project is part of Rome’s preparation for the 2025 Vatican Jubilee Year, and the city is doing extensive maintenance work on several historic sites, including the Trevi Fountain. The renovation will address issues such as The restoration aims to address issues such as dirt and grime buildup, weed growth, and calcium deposits that have accumulated since the last major cleaning in 2014.

The scaffolding should be removed by the end of 2024 or very early 2025, allowing visitors to once again see the Trevi Fountain as it ought to be. But doing so may not be free for much longer: Beyond the physical restoration, city officials are considering measures to manage the fountain’s often overwhelming number of visitors. Rome officials have said they’re considering an online ticketing system with a two-euro fee per person, and limiting each visit to 30 minutes. It’s just one of many proposals recently in popular European tourist cities to control visitation numbers, including a new tourist fee to access hiking trails in Madeira, Portugal, and a day use fee for any non-overnight visitors to Venice, Italy.

Here are some of the best reviews of the new temporary Trevi Fountain.

It’s a “swimming pool”

“A swimming pool for coins? Dear God, are they doing acid in the government? But who makes these decisions?”

– Andrealeo1900 (translated), Instagram

“If you throw the coin in the Trevi fountain swimming pool, you will return to Rome!!!”

– Chiara Antonelli, Tourist Guide, Facebook

“Imagine you have traveled 14 hours by plane to the Trevi fountain and you find yourself at a communal swimming pool.”

– Rafaielaa (translated), Instagram

It’s really not worth seeing

“We were here in October 2024 and sadly the water has been turned off as part of an ongoing repair project for the upcoming 2025 celebrations in Rome. Basically, fabulous sculptures aside we were left looking at an empty pool.”

– James S., TripAdvisor

“I’m in Rome now, will go and see, but not throwing no coins into the daft little fish pond.”

– Dean Wilson, Facebook

“What a waste of time man. This was something I was looking forward to seeing while in Rome, the one time I can go in my life. And it’s ugly because there’s no water. It’s really unimpressive without the water. Boring. Dry.”

– Brittney M, Yelp

“Vegas version better. At least it has water.”

– Steve Wynn, Google

It was a confusing government decision

“Only a moron could give birth to such an idiotic idea… I’m thinking that even that goldfish tank will be for profit…. SHAME ON YOU.”

– Mya.Jackrussel (translated), Instagram

“Whoever made the project is not right in the head.”

– Gennypesc (translated), Instagram

It’s an insult to Roman culture

“Completely pathetic. This is very cheap and ugly, it does not belong at The Fountain of Trevi.”

– Mike Tummolo, X

“The plan is to erase Europe’s culture, history and heritage. Abysmal and Demonic!”

– Hexe, X

“An absolute Trevisty”

– Tony Margiotta, X