The Intriguing Beauty of the Trevi Fountain
In the heart of Rome stands one of the most magnificent and renowned fountains in the world: The Trevi Fountain. Located near the site of ancient Roman baths, the Trevi Fountain is an iconic tourist attraction and part of the culture of Rome. With a Baroque style sculptural design and encompassed by majestic colonnades, it features a marine themed sculpture by Italian artist Nicola Salvi that culminates in a triangle shape.
Originating in the 16th century, the Trevi Fountain was constructed to provide drinking water to the Roman people. Over time, it has become a renowned emblem of the Baroque style and its intricate details, symbolic figures, and beautiful lighting have captivated the attention of visitors from around the world. Throughout the centuries, this remarkable fountain has developed an interesting legend, which claim that those who throw a coin into the fountain, ensuring their return to the city.
With its historic and aesthetic values, there is no doubt that the Trevi Fountain is today one of the most emblematic monuments of Rome. Unfortunately, the fountain has been closed to the public as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, when the province of Rome was declared a red zone, the Trevi Fountain was closed, and although the restrictions have been gradually lifting, the fountain remains currently closed.
The impact of the closure of the Trevi Fountain has been mostly felt by local business who had large amounts of revenue from tourists, as well as the residents of Rome who have a deep emotional connection to the fountain, who have been unable to experience all the beauty and energy it offers. The impact has been at an economic, social, and emotional level, making it one of the symbols that has been most affected by the pandemic.
Despite the current closure of the fountain, the Italian government has developed a plan to ensure that visitors who come to the Trevi Fountain can enjoy it safely. One of the strategies for increasing public safety was to establish an online platform for visitors to admire the fountain from the comfort of their homes, as well as to allow access of the archaeological park so people can have some form of contact with the area.
In addition, the government has implemented various restrictions, such as allowing a flow of less than 500 visitors at a time and renewing the iron panel next to the fountain, which was installed as a protective measure. Furthermore, they have also installed water metres, which are believed to help safeguard the fountain from both residents and tourists, by educating them on the limited amount of water available and to promote responsible usage.
Traditional Superstitions and the Trevi Fountain
Another interesting element regarding the Trevi Fountain is the superstitions surrounding it. It is said that it is good luck to make a wish by throwing a coin into the fountain, and the legend states that if you throw three coins into the fountain, your wish will be granted.
However, it is also very important to follow the particular superstitions surrounding the fountain. For example, it is said that one should never swim in the fountain as it brings bad luck, and that couples should never wish together, as the wish will break. Thus, the fountain is filled with mystery and the tradition of throwing a coin into the fountain remains one of the tourist’s main attractions.
The Italian government is aware of the importance of the fountain and its valuable history, so they have made a commitment to preserve and protect it as much as possible. In addition, due to the high number of coins that have been thrown into the fountain, they have allocated a fund to maintain it and provide restoration and conservation services that will guarantee the fountain’s beauty and longevity.
Overall, although the pandemic has caused restrictions to local businesses and the public, the government has worked hard to preserve this monumental structure and ensure that it remains a symbol of the city and its culture for many years to come. With some limitations and with certain safety protocols, the Trevi Fountain is surely worth the wait for visitors around the world.
Coin Collection and Benefits of Trevi Fountain
The popularity of the Trevi Fountain attracts thousands of tourists from around the world, making it one of the most visited monuments in the world. As a consequence, each day the fountain receives an extraordinary number of coins.
At first, the coins were simply collected by locals and sold to buyers in nearby cities. However, the municipality of Rome soon realized the value these coins had, not only in terms of money, but also in terms of the economic impact.
Today, a coin collection is formally organized by the Trevi Fountain Coin Association, an organization that collects coins from the fountain and sends them to a group of volunteers who help strengthen local charities and other causes.
In addition to its iconic beauty, the Trevi Fountain also provides social and economic benefits to the city of Rome. It has become an essential symbol of the culture and heritage of not only the city, but of all of Italy, as it is one of the most celebrated monuments of the country.
As an example of the economic impact, before the pandemic hit, the income generated by the Trevi Fountain allowed the city of Rome to allocate 3.2 million euros for consolidation and renovation projects for the fountain and its surroundings.
The Trevi Fountain also provides an opportunity for local businesses to create economic opportunities, since thousands of tourists travel to the monument each year, spending money in hotels, restaurants, and other local businesses.
Renovation and the Future of The Trevi Fountain
The Municpality of Rome has also established a program to restore and improve the Trevi Fountaon, consisting of different stages of renovations. After the first phase was completed, they started the second phase, as part of a larger project of the city designed to renew Rome’s major iconic sites, one of which is the Trevi Fountain.
The second phase of renovations aimed to strengthen and repair the fountain’s structure, and to restore the fountain’s sculptural integrity. Additionally, the project included the installation of a lighting system that recreates the structure’s original appearance.
The project is expected to be completed in the upcoming months, and the Trevi Fountain will be open to the public once again. Furthermore, the city of Rome plans to start a new program that will provide more security and maintenance to the fountain, as well as establish a visitor’s center. This is expected to contribute to the restoration and protection of the fountain for many years to come.
Finally, the city is also working on a plan to reduce the number of visitors to the area, so that the Trevi Fountain can be preserved as it has been for centuries, as one of the most iconic symbols of Rome.
Conclusion: An Iconic Symbol of Rome
The Trevi Fountain is undoubtedly one of the most beloved symbols of Rome. Although it is temporarily closed due to the pandemic, the city of Rome is taking the necessary measures to ensure that the fountain remains a beautiful and unblemished site for years to come.
The Trevi Fountain has also become a symbol of hope, as it is believed that if you make a wish and throw a coin into the fountain, it will be granted. This fantasy has captivated the hearts of visitors and residents of Rome, making it the iconic symbol of the city and its history.
