‘The saddest thing I’ve seen in Italy’: Tiny Trevi Fountain stand-in pool draws scorn
When the city of Rome constructed what looks like a backyard swimming pool in front of the famous Trevi Fountain for tourists to toss their coins into while the baroque landmark is emptied for renovations, the reaction was swift — and brutal.
Erected late last week, the pool is adorned with unpainted plywood and sits behind a tall fence covered by transparent plastic, over which tourists throw coins in the hope of hitting the water.
The loose change now scattered around the perimeter underscores just how challenging that is.
According to one police officer, who did not wish to be named, at the site on Saturday to keep order, the pool was built primarily to protect workers inside the emptied fountain from getting hit by coins.
And, he suggested, to ensure it continues to collect 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) a year in coins, which are given to charity.