Rome’s Trevi Fountain, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, has introduced a €2 entry fee for tourists and non-residents — and controversy erupted almost immediately. The Financial Times called it a “physical and psychological barrier between Rome and one of its most beloved monuments.”
Alex von Tunzelmann, historian and columnist, highlights the contrast with cinema history: in 1960, Anita Ekberg famously splashed under the fountain in La Dolce Vita. “In 2026,” she writes, “she would have had to queue and pay €2 to get close. They would probably have charged extra for the kitten too.”
The fee is part of a plan by Rome’s city hall to reduce overcrowding, improve the visitor experience, and help maintain the fountain. Only 400 people can approach at a time, and residents of Rome can still enter free of charge. After 10 p.m., the fountain remains fully visible to everyone.
Von Tunzelmann also points out that free access to world-famous sites is increasingly rare. Some notable examples include:
- Rome’s Pantheon — €5
- Venice daily visitors — €5 (double if booked last-minute)
- Barcelona’s Sagrada Família — €26
- London’s St Paul’s Cathedral — £27
“These physical and psychological barriers change the relationship with the city and its monuments,” she writes.
The Trevi Fountain, a symbol of Rome’s culture and history, is now part of a global debate over paid access to landmarks — balancing preservation with public access, tradition with modern tourism.