Rome’s Trevi Fountain : Travelers behaving badly is a topic that never seems to fade. From disrespectful acts in national parks to trespassing in forbidden areas for the perfect selfie, there’s no shortage of cringe-worthy tales. However, a recent incident at Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain might just take the cake.
A video has surfaced depicting a visitor wading through the waters surrounding the historic site. With determination, she maneuvers her way to the rear rocks of the fountain, where she proceeds to accomplish an audacious act: opening a water bottle and filling it from the fountain’s source.
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Despite signs explicitly forbidding such actions, the daring scene was captured by another tourist named Lex Jones. The eyewitness promptly shared the recorded video on Storyful, as reported by ABC News. Jones recounted, “I was just like, wow, this is crazy, so I started videoing it.”
Security personnel intervened swiftly, escorting the woman away from the site. Her attempt to rationalize her actions fell on deaf ears. Jones elaborated, “[She] didn’t really understand why she was in trouble.”
Speculation suggests that the daring act was an attempt to taste the water, which flows directly from the Aqua Virgo, an ancient Roman water source. Engineering Rome sheds light on the historical significance of this aqueduct, dating back to 19 BC. Remarkably, this aqueduct remains the only ancient one still operational and is distinctive for being the sole aqueduct entering Rome from the north. Although the Trevi Fountain, associated with the Aqua Virgo, wasn’t erected until 1762, the system itself facilitated access to clean water for various needs, including public baths.
The website explains, “Aqua Virgo was very effective at providing clean drinking water for people in the areas that needed it, as well as providing water for the baths of Agrippa and Campus Martius in general.” Notably, the aqueduct has undergone numerous restorations over the centuries, enabling it to channel the same pristine spring water from the Salone area to this day.
However, the fountain’s water no longer serves as a viable source for drinking. Rome Experience reveals that the Trevi Fountain generates an impressive 80,000 cubic meters of water daily. Nevertheless, the water is recycled for aesthetic purposes, and caution is advised against any temptation to consume it.
In the end, this incident serves as a reminder that even the most historically revered landmarks are not immune to the heedless actions of individuals. As Rome’s Trevi Fountain continues to attract awe-struck visitors, this escapade remains a testament to the lengths some will go for a momentary memento, regardless of the rules and the sanctity of the site.
