A drunken Kiwi man has been fined $920 and barred from visiting the famous monument after he was caught trying to swim a couple of laps in Rome’s Trevi Fountain.
It is understood that the 30-year-old has been living in London and is on holiday in Italy with a couple of mates.
He was reportedly seen trying to enter the fountain in the early hours of Sunday morning alongside his friends who are also said to be New Zealanders.
A spokesperson for Rome’s Capital Police told media that authorities tried to restrain the trio and remove them from the area, the 30-year-old man then wrestled himself loose and managed to jump into the fountain.
Once caught, the unnamed Kiwi was handed a €500 fine, equal to $920, and a lifetime ban from the famous fountain.
The spokesperson said “alcohol was definitely involved”.
The fountain which opened in 1762, is one of Rome’s most well-known and photographed landmarks. Any attempt to bathe or swim in the fountain is strongly frowned upon and is discouraged by local authorities.
Signs are set up around the fountain site to warn tourists there is “no jumping in or swimming in the fountain pool”.
Last year the city introduced a system to limit the amount of visitors the fountain gets at a given time, currently it is 400.
Rome is also considering introducing a small fee to enter this access area, open from 9am to 9pm daily.
It is understood that the man bypassed the controlled area to get into the water.
Photo Credit: CNN
