Rome's Trevi Fountain: A New Way to Visit

Rome is making changes to how tourists can visit the famous Trevi Fountain. Starting February 1, visitors will need to pay two euros to get close to the fountain. This new rule aims to manage the large crowds and generate more money for the city. The mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, announced this change. He believes it will help control the flow of tourists and make the experience better for everyone. Locals won't have to pay, but tourists will if they want to step onto the stone areas around the fountain. The square where people usually take photos will still be free to access.The Trevi Fountain is a big deal. It's a beautiful piece of art from the 1700s. People from all over the world come to see it and throw coins into the water for good luck. This year alone, it has attracted nine million visitors. Some tourists think the fee is okay if the money goes towards keeping the fountain in good shape. Others might choose to just look at it from a distance instead of paying. This is part of a bigger trend in Italy. Other famous sites, like the Pantheon in Rome and a balcony in Verona, have also started charging fees. Rome isn't the only city making these changes. Venice has introduced a fee for tourists during busy times. These steps show how cities are trying to balance tourism with the need to protect their historic sites.