Trevi Fountain: extraordinary maintenance completed, start of closed number as well

The Trevi Fountain, one of Rome’s most beloved monuments, is back free of scaffolding after three months of extraordinary maintenance work overseen by the Capitoline Cultural Heritage Superintendency. The intervention, included in the PNRR Caput Mundi program and cost 327 thousand euros, focused on the lower part of the fountain, which is particularly exposed to degradation due to environmental conditions and the massive presence of tourists.

Cleaning the stone surfaces, repairing the grouting of the joints and waterproofing the basin made it possible to preserve the aesthetic and structural integrity of the monument. At the same time, Acea carried out an upgrade of the water recirculation system, replacing pumps and electromechanical equipment to optimize the operation of the system.

The intervention in detail

The intervention is part of a larger extraordinary maintenance plan involving other iconic fountains in the capital, including the Fountain of the Quirinal, the Barcaccia and the Turtles, for a total amount of 1.187 million euros. For the Trevi Fountain, the work focused on the removal of biological patina, limestone deposits and weed vegetation that had accumulated over time due to constant exposure to weathering and the presence of water. The intervention was somewhere between the routine cleaning and maintenance operations that are carried out periodically, with the emptying of the basins, and the structural restoration works, such as those of 1989-1990, 1999, and 2014, aimed at removing limestone and biological patinas.

Travertine, the predominant material of the fountain (composed of different materials including Carrara marble, stucco, and metals), was subjected to a thorough preliminary analysis to identify the level of degradation. Diagnostic samples revealed significant alterations, including the presence of a red patina caused by iron accumulation. This study made it possible to plan targeted interventions, such as thorough cleaning, surface consolidation, and application of a protective layer against the action of pollutants and atmospheric agents.

The degradation of the fountain is due to several factors: the use of iron for the brackets supporting the sculptures, for example, presents the problem of oxidation of the metal, and the formation of rust also leads to aesthetic alterations of the travertine, as well as making the supports that provide stability and mechanical strength to the sculptural groups less stable. The constant presence of water and moisture leads to risks of erosion and the formation of a favorable habitat for the development of microbial flora and fauna, which are harmful to the stone and other materials. Finally, not to be underestimated is the role of air pollutants, which are only partly mitigated by the fact that Trevi Square is semi-pedestrianized. Pollutant particles settle on the surfaces and thus require constant monitoring and cleaning.

The interventions went through three phases: first cleaning, with disinfection from microorganisms and removal of inconsistent and partially adherent surface deposits (such as black crusts, carbonate layers, and iron oxides), then consolidation (with reattachment of flakes and fragments, and theexecution and repair of grouting), and finally theapplication of a protective layer on the surfaces to counteract the action of weathering and pollutants, with also a treatment on the metal elements to prevent oxidation and corrosion of pins, brackets, and rims. Waterproof coatings were also applied on the main and secondary tanks to protect the stone material from seepage.

New visiting arrangements: closed number introduced

After the restoration was finished, new ways of accessing the Trevi Fountain were introduced, in particular, a closed number was introduced. From Sunday, December 22, 2024, entry will be regulated with a maximum limit of 400 people at the same time.

Access will be from the central staircase and exit from the side of Via dei Crociferi. Visiting hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (last entry at 8:30 p.m.), will include some exceptions: on Mondays and Fridays, opening will be delayed to 11:00 a.m. to allow for coin collection, and every other Monday, from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., cleaning and emptying of the basin will be conducted. After 9:00 p.m., access will be free.

Thanks to a dedicated staff, managed by Zètema Progetto Cultura, the reception and safety of visitors will be guaranteed, who will be able to circulate freely but with some restrictions: they will not be allowed to sit on the edge of the pool, consume food or drinks, or smoke. Also installed are information panels at the entrance and at totems on the sides of the square: a QR code allows visitors to obtain historical information about the Trevi Fountain.

Trevi Fountain: extraordinary maintenance completed, start of closed number as well

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