The Trevi Fountain, a baroque masterpiece in the heart of Rome, has reopened its gates to the public, albeit with a new set of rules to preserve its historical grandeur. As selfie-takers eagerly line up on the newly installed metal walkway, workers embark on the meticulous task of cleaning the 18th-century icon. This temporary pathway, a blend of scaffolding and vinyl, accommodates 130 visitors at a time, offering an intimate view of Oceanus and his majestic, horse-drawn chariot.

However, a stern warning has been issued to the fountain's admirers: the age-old tradition of coin-tossing is now prohibited, with a €50 fine for those who dare to defy the new regulation. Coins, once a symbol of wishes and tradition, are now only permitted in a small, temporary basin nestled between the walkway and the cobblestone square.

This $330,000 restoration project, set to conclude in December, is not just about cleaning; it's a delicate dance between conservation and the demands of tourism. Rome's Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, in an interview, explained that by monitoring the walkway's usage during peak hours, the city aims to implement more effective crowd control measures. "The aim is improving the experience of visitors to make a unique experience to admire the fountain and to avoid overcrowding," he stated.

From the vantage point of the raised walkway, the intricate details of the 18th-century sculpture are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Yet, this perspective also reveals the toll of time and tradition: millions of dents and rust marks, remnants of the flying coins that have damaged the stone ridge. Each year, over €1.5 million is collected from the fountain and donated to the Catholic charity Caritas, but the projectiles have taken their toll on the monument.

Once the fountain is restored and filled with water, Gualtieri envisions a ticketing system to further limit the crowds, enhancing the experience for tourists who are often willing to pay for such an iconic encounter. American tourist Arlene Speling, from Florida, expressed skepticism about whether such measures would effectively control the crowds, suggesting that many would still pay to visit this staple of Rome.

This restoration is part of a larger effort to prepare for the Vatican's Holy Jubilee of 2025, when Rome anticipates a surge in visitors. The Trevi Fountain, last restored in 2014 after a year-long project, is promised to be ready in just five weeks this time around. "We are working very hard to be ready for Jubilee and all the construction sites that are supposed to be finished by December would be finished by December," the mayor assured.

As the Trevi Fountain undergoes its transformation, it stands as a symbol of Rome's commitment to balancing the preservation of its rich history with the needs of modern tourism, ensuring that this baroque gem continues to captivate the world for generations to come.