Tourists throw over €1 million into Italy’s Trevi Fountain each year. Here’s what happens to it

Should you’ve visited Rome, you’ve in all probability thrown a coin into the famed Trevi fountain.

Annually, over €1 million leads to the water of the spectacular 18th century monument.

However the place does all this cash go?

For over a decade, the windfall - collected by a devoted group each few months - has been contributing to an excellent trigger.

Why do individuals throw cash into the Trevi Fountain?

Constructed between 1732 and 1762, the Trevi Fountain is one among Rome’s most iconic sights. It was designed by Nicola Salvi and represents the taming of the waters.

Towards a monumental facade of large Corinthian pilasters, river god Oceanus rides a shell chariot pulled by sea horses.

One of many creatures is docile whereas the opposite rears wildly, representing the contrasting characters of the sea.

As per custom, vacationers stand with their backs going through the monument and toss a coin over their left shoulder with their proper hand into the water.

The ritual was made well-known by the 1954 movie "Three Cash within the Fountain" and is meant to ensure the customer’s return to the Everlasting Metropolis.

How a lot cash will get thrown into the Trevi Fountain?

Every day, round €3,000 of free change leads to the Trevi Fountain.

That works out as as much as €1.5 million tossed into its waters every year.

What occurs to the cash thrown into the Trevi Fountain?

A few instances a 12 months, the town sends in a group to gather the fortune.

The employees use brushes on the tip of lengthy poles to brush the cash into piles after which use a suction hose to extract the cash from the water.

The cash are then bagged beneath the watchful eye of the police.

In 2001, the mayor determined that the cash ought to be collected for an area charity to place a cease to the frequent makes an attempt by individuals to steal cash from the fountain.

Since then, the free change that leads to the fountain has been donated every year to Rome’s Catholic charity Caritas.

It has been an enormous increase for the charity and the sum now makes up 15 per cent of its annual funds.

The group makes use of the cash to assist the town’s poor and needy. It funds soup kitchens, homeless shelters, free supermarkets and different tasks.

It additionally goes in direction of the maintenance of a posh on the outskirts of Rome housing a nursing residence, canteen and dentist for metropolis residents residing in poverty.

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