Rome’s tourist misbehavior season has commenced early, with three New Zealand visitors facing trouble well before the summer heat could be blamed for exuberant antics. The trio was intercepted on Sunday night as they attempted to wade into the iconic Trevi Fountain in central Rome, a notorious hotspot for disturbances during peak tourist seasons. While being escorted away, one tourist, a 30-year-old man, broke free from police and leaped into the fountain, prompting a chase. Authorities confirmed that alcohol was a factor. The individual received a €500 fine and a lifetime ban from the Baroque landmark. Constructed in 1762, the Trevi Fountain underwent a €330,000 restoration in 2024 to repair marble damaged by the millions of coins tossed into its waters annually. Inspired by Federico Fellini’s 1960 film “La Dolce Vita,” many tourists attempt to emulate Anita Ekberg’s famous fountain scene, leading to about a dozen fines each year for unauthorized entries. Additionally, numerous individuals are apprehended annually for attempting to steal from the €1.5 million in coins collected each year, which are donated to charity. In 2024, Rome introduced measures to limit the number of visitors in front of the fountain to 400 at a time, operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with considerations for a small entry fee. The New Zealand tourist bypassed the controlled area by climbing over the marble sculptures surrounding the basin.
Source: Swifteradio.com
