Throwing a coin, or three, into the Trevi Fountain in Rome is something of a tradition, but have you ever wondered why and what happens to all the coins?
The tradition of throwing a coin over your shoulder and into the fountain has its roots in Roman legend. The story goes that if you throw a coin into the fountain with your right hand and over your left shoulder then this guarantees that one day in the future you will return to Rome – hence why so many visitors to the city flock to the fountain to throw in a coin! The tradition dates back to the Romans, who used to throw coins into water to appease the gods of water and ensure them a safe journey home.
While some throw a single coin into the Trevi Fountain, others throw three coins in, as in the iconic film “Three Coins in the Trevi Fountain”, starring Clifton Webb and Dorothy McGuire. This is because the legend goes on to claim that, while the first coin guarantees that you’ll return to Rome, the second coin thrown in ensures a new romance and the third coin is in hope of marriage.
So, what happens to all the coins?
To avoid theft (taking coins from the fountain is illegal), the municipality of Rome collects the coins daily and the money, which amounts to over $4300 AUD daily, has been used to fund a special supermarket to feed the poor and has also been donated to the Italian Red Cross.
