Rome’s world-famous Trevi Fountain has seen its fair share of outrageous moments, but one tourist recently took things a step too far.
Visitors were left stunned when a man decided to leap straight into the 263-year-old landmark, ignoring the strict rules that forbid anyone from entering the water.
A Bold Leap in Front of the Crowd
The tourist, casually dressed in a blue t-shirt and white shorts, smirked as he splashed around in the iconic fountain.
Dozens of onlookers pulled out their phones, filming the bizarre stunt.
One passerby even helped him out of the water—only for Italian police to quickly step in before he could slip away unnoticed.
The Moment Caught on Camera
Among the shocked crowd was 18-year-old Lukas Vöhser Falcón from Gran Canaria.
Lukas, a mechanical engineering student travelling across Europe with friends, was filming the fountain when the unexpected scene unfolded.
“I was just recording, and suddenly he jumped in,” Lukas explained.
“It looked like he was doing it for fun. But within seconds, the police were there, and they took him away. Everyone around me couldn’t believe what just happened.”
A Fountain with a History of Trouble
This isn’t the first time the Trevi Fountain has been the stage for tourist mischief.
Earlier this year, a New Zealander living in London was fined €500 after police chased him into the water—alcohol was said to be a major factor.
In another incident, a 27-year-old Ukrainian man tried to climb one of the fountain’s marble statues.
The stunt ended with a €1000 fine and a ban from Rome.
Even large-scale protests have targeted the landmark; in 2023, climate activists dyed the fountain black with vegetable-based charcoal to protest fossil fuel funding.
Protecting One of Rome’s Treasures
The Trevi Fountain, which took over 30 years to complete in the 18th century, is one of Italy’s most visited attractions.
To control the massive crowds—once up to 12,000 daily—authorities recently introduced a queuing system, allowing only 400 people at a time.
Of course, tossing a coin into the fountain is still a long-standing tradition.
The practice once generated about €10,000 a week, with all proceeds going to charity.
