British tourists will now be forced to pay to view a world-famous landmark - despite it sitting in the middle of a public square.
Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain has brought in a mandatory charge in a bid to stop "over-tourism", with families told to cough up from Monday.
Jakub Kuza, 44, from Warsaw, arrived first at 9am with his two daughters, and was among the first visitors to pay the €2 toll.
"I'm happy to pay - my nine year old wanted to throw a coin in when we came two days ago but the crowds were crazy and it was impossible to get close. Now we have it all to ourselves," he said.
The fountain draws 10 million visitors annually, with crowds reaching 70,000 daily during peak season.
Police regularly blow whistles to control selfie stick-wielding tourists at the site, made famous by Anita Ekberg's dance in La Dolce Vita.
The 18th-century attraction has become the latest Italian site to introduce the charge.
Rome has followed Venice, which charges €5 on busy days, in introducing ticketing measures.
Verona began requiring tickets in December for the balcony associated with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Tourists will now be forced to pay to view the world-famous landmark
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The Italian capital's Pantheon has charged admission since 2023.
"It seems absurd but access to the Pantheon has become easier not harder thanks to ticketing as things got better organised and I am sure it will be the same for the Trevi fountain," said Marina Lalli, head of tourism lobby group Federturismo.
Foreign arrivals to Italy hit a record 80 million last year.
But Massimiliano Smeriglio, Rome's culture chief, told The Times the scheme is not designed to cut visitor numbers.
"What we can do is organise things better and use the €7million in annual tickets sales to hire stewards to stop people climbing the statues and jumping into the fountain," he said.
The remaining funds will support museum maintenance and provide free entry for local residents.
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PICTURED: Wardens at the Trevi Fountain keep watch for would-be freeloaders
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"It's a way to let Romans enjoy the beauty of their own city," he said.
Romans will receive free passes to visit the Trevi Fountain.
Tickets are required from 11.30am to 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 10pm at weekends.
But not everyone has welcomed the changes.
A shoe shop owner overlooking the fountain shouted at police after being told he could not park his delivery van next to the water feature.
Romans will receive free passes to visit the Trevi Fountain while tourists will pay a €2 charge
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Nearby museum staff complained the queue blocked their fire escape.
"I am waiting to see if they use the cash to install a public loo," said the local chemist's manager.
And Norwegian tourist Airin Furnesdal said: "It's lost its charm now it's not accessible to all."
"If I have to pay to throw a coin, it breaks the spirit of the moment," added Jordi from Barcelona.
Sean Kelly from Dublin asked: "Where does it stop? Will we pay to enter Piazza Navona next year?"
But Will Tyler, an engineer from Brighton, added: "It's only €2 and they need it to clean and maintain the fountain - I don't mind."