The Mayor of Rome announced on Monday that anyone caught swimming, wading, washing or even eating near the famous fountain will be slapped with a 240 euro (about $269) fine. In a Facebook post, Mayor Virginia Raggi explained that her decision intends to protect the fountain's beauty.
"We do not tolerate episodes against the rules of urban decor and we want to protect the historical, artistic and archaeological heritage of Rome," she wrote. The ban includes 40 famous fountains across Rome and will be in effect through October.
Swimming in the Trevi Fountain has long been a devilish dream for many a tourist — or at least since the 1960 premiere of Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita. One of the film's central scenes takes place in the fountain.
