The Trevi Fountain is one of the most popular and Instagrammable tourist spots in the world. Mostly during summer you will find hordes of tourists surrounding the 18th-century masterpiece for their very own La Dolce Vita moment (just don’t go into the water or you will get fined). Legend has it that if you adhere to a very specific tradition – by specifically using your right hand to launch a coin over your left shoulder — then you will return to Rome at some point in your life. This tradition has been going on for hundreds of years with visitors making a wish before they toss a coin into the fountain. They money is collected twice a week with signs around the fountain explaining that the change will go to charity. Extracting the coins is a spectacle, Reuters reports, with workers from regional utility ACEA balancing on the edge of the vast Baroque fountain, using long brooms and suction hoses. “The collection and cleaning operations are carried out as quickly as possible to try to reduce the downtime of the fountain,” Francesco Prisco, a manager at ACEA said. After the coins have been swept into a long line by a long-reach broom, they are sucked up by hoses and taken to Caritas’ office, where they’re spread across a huge table for drying. The coins are then given to Caritas, not-for-profit organization run by the Catholic Church. It uses the money to fund a food bank, soup kitchen and welfare projects in Rome. So, how much is being tossed into the 300-year-old fountain? Reuters reported that in 2022 Caritas collected 1.4 million euros ($1.5 million US) from the water and it expects to have gathered even more in 2023. Each year, around 21 million tourists visit Rome, with many making a pit stop to the Trevi Fountain. The iconic tourist attraction was completed in 1762 and covers one side of Palazzo Poli in central Rome with its statues of Tritons guiding the shell chariot of the god Oceanus, illustrating the theme of the taming of the waters. It is where Italian film director Federico Fellini set the famous “La Dolce Vita” scene, with Anita Ekberg wading into the fountain after midnight and beckoning Marcello Mastroianni to join her. Unfortunetly, you can’t replicate the moment with tourists copping a hefty fine of up wading into its waters fined. Last year two Aussies were fined 450 Euros ($497 US) after swimming in the fountain waters. They were also banned 48 hours from accessing certain areas of the city. If you've ever dreamt of a Roman holiday, chances are, you've envisioned yourself tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain. This 18th-century masterpiece isn’t just a stunning work of art; it’s also one of the most Instagrammable spots in the world. Whether you’re channelling your inner La Dolce Vita or simply hoping for a bit of luck, the Trevi Fountain holds a special place in the hearts of millions of tourists. But there’s more to this tradition than just making a wish. According to legend, if you throw a coin into the fountain using your right hand over your left shoulder, you’re guaranteed a return trip to Rome. This ritual has been practised for centuries, with visitors from all over the globe hoping to secure their next Roman adventure. Here’s a fun fact that might surprise you: the money tossed into the fountain doesn’t just sit at the bottom forever. Instead, it’s collected twice a week and donated to charity. You’ll even find signs around the fountain explaining that the change benefits those in need. The process of gathering the coins is quite a spectacle. Workers from the regional utility company ACEA carefully balance on the fountain's edge, using long brooms and suction hoses to extract the coins. They work quickly to minimize the time the fountain is out of operation, ensuring that the magic continues uninterrupted. So, how much money are we talking about? In 2022 alone, Caritas, the charity responsible for the funds, collected a staggering 1.4 million euros (approximately USD 1.5 million) from the fountain. And it looks like 2023 might bring in even more. With around 21 million tourists visiting Rome each year, it’s no wonder that the Trevi Fountain sees so much action. While most visitors stick to the tradition of tossing in a coin, some take things a bit too far. Last year, two Australian tourists decided to take a dip in the fountain’s waters—a decision that cost them a hefty 450 euros ($497) fine and a 48-hour ban from certain areas of the city. So, next time you find yourself in Rome, take a moment to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. Not only will you be participating in a time-honoured tradition, but you’ll also be helping out a good cause. Just remember to keep your swim trunks at home!