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Getty ImagesRome’s famous Trevi Fountain has reopened after a three-month renovation.
Built in the 19th century by the Italian architect Nicola Salvi on the edge of the Poli Palace, the historic fountain is one of the most visited places in the city.
Between 10,000 and 12,000 visitors used to visit the Trevi Fountain every day, but a new line has been put in place to prevent overcrowding near the site.
In a speech on Sunday, the Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri said that establishing a limit “allows everyone to enjoy the fountain, without crowds or chaos”.
Gualtieri also said city officials are considering charging an entrance fee to maintain the fountain.
The re-opening on Sunday took place under light rain in front of several hundred visitors, many of whom followed the mayor by throwing money into the fountain.
The three-month cleaning process included removing mold and calcium incrustations.
The fountain and other important places in the city were cleaned on the day of the Roman Catholic Church’s festival that begins on Christmas.
Getty ImagesThe design was wrong it was revealed in 2012 when small pieces of the cornice began to fall after a severe winter that required multi-million euro renovations the following year.
Making a wish and throwing money into the water is a ritual where city officials collect up to €10,000 (£8,300; $10,500) a week.
The money was donated to a charity that provides food to the poor.
The Trevi Fountain
Getty Images- Commissioned by Pope Clement XII in 1730
- It is the end of the aqueduct that supplied water to ancient Rome
- The Acqua Vergine flows for 20km (12 miles) before entering the fountain.
- Guests can drink from a special tap enclosed on one side
- According to legend, the source of water was discovered in 19 BC by thirsty Roman soldiers who were pointed out to this place by a young virgin – hence the name Virgin Waters.
- The ritual of throwing coins into the fountain was popularized by Frank Sinatra’s Three Coins in the Fountain in the 1954 romantic comedy of the same name.
