Dec. 20 (UPI) — Most tourists visiting Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain will have to pay a modest fee starting Feb. 1, but locals and some tourists will not.
It will cost €2, equivalent to $2.34, to get a close-up view of the fountain that features Baroque artwork and statues, according to the BBC.
Tourists still can toss coins into the fountain, which legend says ensures they go back to the Eternal City, once they have paid the entry fee.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced the new fee on Friday, which he called a “paltry” sum and said it will help local officials to better control traffic while visiting one of the ancient city’s most popular sites.
It also reduces the size of crowds at the 18th century fountain, which is located in a relatively confined space that easily becomes crowded. The space is limited to no more than 400 people at a time.
Local officials said the fountain drew 9 million visitors over the past year and anticipate the new fee will reduce the number of annual visitors, although the fee is expected to draw roughly €6 million — more than $7 million — in annual revenues.
Only tourists will pay and not Rome’s residents. Neither will children under 5 years of age, nor people who have disabilities and those who accompany them.
Tourists won’t have to pay a fee to view the Trevi Fountain from a distance, though.
Local officials remove coins and other items tossed into the fountain and donate them to the Caritas Catholic charity.
Fees also will be charged to visit other sites around Rome, so tourists are advised to plan ahead and ensure they have the pocket change to cover admission costs at various sites.
