CNN
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A video depicting a tourist daringly climbing into Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain to fill her water bottle has gone viral.
The footage, captured last month, showcases the woman confidently traversing a row of rocks to reach the heart of the 18th-century monument, while horrified onlookers observe.
After filling her bottle from one of the fountain’s spouts, she tries to make her escape, but is promptly halted by a whistle-blowing guard who strides toward her.
A brief exchange follows between the two before the guard apprehends the tourist. The subsequent fate of the tourist, including whether she was fined or arrested, remains unclear.
Violators who enter the fountain can be subjected to fines of up to 500 euros, as the landmark is considered one of the most prominent symbols of the city.
According to legend, throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain ensures one’s return to Rome.
Every year, approximately 1-1.5 million euros ($1.1-$1.6 million) in coins are collected from the fountain and donated to the Catholic charity Caritas. Rome’s tourism board reports that during peak tourist months, around 3,000 euros ($3,200) are thrown into the fountain daily.
Currently, the fountain is positioned slightly below the square level. Visitors must descend steps to access it. However, it is common for tourists to occupy the steps or perch on the fountain’s edge, prompting calls for increased security measures such as checkpoints and continuous foot patrols along the surrounding roads.
With the number of international visitors to Rome skyrocketing since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, tourists have faced criticism for their lack of respect towards the city’s renowned monuments.
In June of last year, two American tourists caused $25,000 worth of damage to Rome’s Spanish Steps. Additionally, a month prior, a Saudi visitor drove his rented Maserati down the travertine staircase, resulting in the fracturing of two steps.
Just recently, another tourist was captured on video allegedly carving their name into a wall of Rome’s 2,000-year-old Colosseum. Italy’s culture minister called for a manhunt to identify the culprit and their accomplice.
In other parts of Italy, it is common for tourists to swim in Venice’s canals, which serve as the city’s sewer system. Instances include two Australians surfing down the Grand Canal and Americans participating in a skinny dip beside the 14th-century Arsenale landmark.
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