Trevi Fountain Ticket Fee: Actress Calls it Too Low | Rome Travel

«Charge entry to the Trevi Fountain? I am in favor, it’s about time, as already happens in all countries in the world.” Maria Grazia Cucinotta is in Milan for the rehearsals of “The Phantom Wife” with Pino Quartullo and directed by Marco Rampoldi, but she has lived in Rome for more than thirty years.
A measure that they should have put into practice a long time ago?
«Of course, everywhere you pay, I have never understood why in Rome, where there is an immense need for funds to preserve and maintain that immense artistic heritage, people are so timid. A few days ago in Istanbul, I paid the ticket to see the Roman aqueduct. And today I bought a ticket for Leonardo’s Last Supper here in Milan for an American friend: 17 euros per person and with a guide you can even reach 70…And even seeing the Eiffel Tower, which is a piece of iron, is expensive »
In your opinion, is the price of 2 euros for Nicola Salvi’s work fair?
«Those who love art spend it willingly, it seems far too low to me. I would raise it for tourists and allow free entry to all children, teenagers and students, including non-residents, as well as groups of elderly people on tour”
So you are a supporter of paid monuments…
«Look, I would charge a ticket just to enter Italy, the most beautiful country in the world, in all fields: but where else on the planet do you find young people who have returned to the villages to cultivate ancient grains? If we could manage and develop quality tourism, we would all be wealthy. Meanwhile, those 20 million euros estimated for entry to the Trevi Fountain could go to support sectors in crisis such as cinema, but also commercial activities, artisans and healthcare.”
But don’t you think that Rome, like Venice or Florence, are victims of overtourism?
«No, I am happy that millions of tourists choose to visit the Bel Paese. In recent months we have had the faithful who came to pray and not to spend, but international tourists help us keep the economy going, we need them. The historic center of these cities is not emptied because of B&Bs or souvenir shops, but because of skyrocketing rents, taxes that exhaust us and there are few entrepreneur-heroes who manage to resist”
Lfashion has obtained prestigious locations, such as the Roman Forum for the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show. Do you share this trend?
«Yes, as long as there is control from the superintendencies. Fashion is powerful, the two of them managed to make Sicily glamorous too”