The city of Rome has announced a significant change for one of its most famous landmarks. Starting in 2025, visitors will be required to pay a fee to access the iconic Trevi Fountain.
A New Era for an Iconic Landmark
This decision marks a historic shift for the 18th-century Baroque fountain, which has traditionally been freely accessible to the public. The move is timed with the reopening of the fountain following recent maintenance work. Officials revealed the plan on December 19, 2025, aiming to have the new system in place for the start of the Jubilee Year, a major religious event that is projected to draw millions of pilgrims and tourists to the Eternal City.
Managing the Millions
The primary motivation behind the fee is crowd management and preservation. The Jubilee Year is expected to bring an unprecedented number of visitors to Rome, putting immense pressure on its historic sites. By charging for access, the city hopes to control the flow of people around the Trevi Fountain, reduce overcrowding, and generate dedicated revenue for its ongoing upkeep and conservation. The fountain, a masterpiece by Nicola Salvi, requires constant and costly maintenance to preserve its intricate sculptures and water systems.
Context and Precedents
This initiative reflects a growing trend among European cities grappling with overtourism. Charging for access to previously free public monuments is a controversial but increasingly common tool used to balance tourist demand with the need for preservation and quality of experience for both visitors and residents. The specific cost of the entry fee and the operational details of the ticketing system have not yet been disclosed by Roman authorities. The announcement has already sparked debate among tourism operators, locals, and frequent visitors about the balance between cultural access and sustainable tourism.
The Trevi Fountain reopened to the public on Sunday, December 22, 2024, just after its maintenance period concluded, ready to welcome visitors under the old free-access model for one final year before the new charges take effect.
