Rome.— The Trevi Fountain, one of Italy’s most iconic and visited landmarks, will introduce a paid access system starting January 7, as part of a new initiative by the City of Rome aimed at managing overtourism, improving visitor experience, and preserving its historic heritage.

According to municipal authorities, the new system will establish a symbolic fee of €2 to access the area closest to the fountain, while general access to the surrounding public space will remain free. Residents of Rome will be exempt from the fee, ensuring continued everyday use of the site by locals.

The decision follows extensive discussions on the impact of mass tourism in Rome’s historic centre. In recent months alone, the Trevi Fountain has welcomed millions of visitors, making it one of Europe’s most crowded tourist attractions. Officials believe the new measure will help control visitor flows, reduce overcrowding, and ensure proper safety and conservation standards.

The paid access will be combined with regulated visiting hours and capacity limits, particularly during peak times and high season. Revenue generated from ticket sales will be allocated to the monument’s maintenance, cleaning, and restoration. Completed in the 18th century, the Trevi Fountain is a masterpiece of late Roman Baroque architecture and an enduring symbol of the Eternal City.

City officials stressed that the initiative is not intended to discourage tourism, but rather to promote a more sustainable and organized model, in line with similar measures adopted by other highly visited European destinations. In this context, Rome joins a growing number of cities seeking to balance cultural heritage preservation with visitor demand.

The Trevi Fountain, famously associated with the tradition of tossing a coin to ensure a return to Rome, will remain open to all—now under new rules that reflect the challenges of modern tourism at world-renowned landmarks.