A video has been circulating on social media depicting a woman trespassing and scaling Rome’s renowned Trevi Fountain in order to fill a water bottle, an incident that took place last month. In the video, the woman, dressed in a blue shirt and sporting a cap, can be seen clambering over the rocks lining the 18th-century monument. She proceeds to fill a bottle beneath the fountain’s prominent spout, attracting the attention of astonished onlookers.
A security guard, captured in the footage, responds by blowing a whistle and hurrying toward the woman. After a confrontation, the guard escorts the trespasser away. The repercussions faced by the unidentified tourist remain unclear.
The incident was captured on camera by a tourist named Lex Jones, who recounted to the video agency Storyful that there were ample signs posted around the area explicitly forbidding such behavior. Jones expressed his amazement at the scene and began recording.
The Trevi Fountain, towering at a height of approximately 85 feet, stands as one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks. Every year, countless tourists flock to this site, customarily tossing coins into the fountain’s waters as an act of good fortune. As per Italian folklore, those who make this gesture will find themselves returning to Rome.
Trespassers at the fountain may face substantial fines of up to 500 euros, as indicated by the guidelines published on Rome’s airport website. The guidelines advise visitors to appreciate the fountain from a reasonable distance, emphasizing that this approach is not only more respectful but also avoids potential penalties.