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It sounds like paradise: Visiting Rome's iconic Trevi fountain, taking in its great beauty, with a cone of delicious gelato in one hand and a cappuccino in the other. But that idyllic fantasy could actually get you in trouble with the law.
According to the Associated Press, Rome Mayor, Virginia Raggi, just signed a new law that aims to protect around 40 of Rome's most famous fountains — but it might put a damper on your fun. You now can't eat or drink near them, or even sit on them. There are other, more obvious restrictions too, like climbing on them, bathing yourself, your clothes, or your pet in them, or throwing anything but coins in them. If you get caught doing any of those things near a fountain, you could get slapped with a fine of up to €240 ($268).
The law comes after various monuments have been damaged due to visitors' bad behavior. A man swam naked in the Trevi fountain this spring, and Dutch soccer fans damaged the Barcaccia fountain and left broken beer bottles in the water. According to The Local, police have already upped fines for bathing in fountains, but that hasn't stopped people from trying it out. Eating is also forbidden on Rome's Spanish Steps, and tourists have been fined for snacking on that historic landmark.
"Everyone must respect Rome's beauty," Raggi said in a videotaped statement. "We have to protect our city, decorum is important."
So heads up if you're visiting Rome anytime soon: If you want some gelato, have a seat at a café instead. It'll save you the headache.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
