If a tourist in Rome wishes to return to this beautiful city, they can simply toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain. According to legend, standing with their back to the fountain and throwing the coin over their left shoulder is the proper way to make a wish.
Every year, millions of visitors delight in this charming tradition. But, you may wonder, where do all those coins go?
Thanks to a partnership with the city of Rome, the Catholic charity Caritas collects an impressive average of one and a half million coins annually, which they use to fund charitable initiatives.
The collection process is not only intriguing but also occurs on select days of the week. Specifically, ACEA, the city’s utility provider, employs special vacuum pumps to gather the coins twice a week.
Over the years, they have discovered some unusual items among the coins, adding an element of surprise to the process.
Moreover, many tourists are aware that the money collected goes to charity. For instance, Gabriela Funston, a tourist from Chile, shared, “It’s heartwarming to know that tossing a coin can help those in need. It’s a symbol of hope!”
After the coins are collected, they are weighed in front of the police for security before Caritas volunteers transport them to a secure location. There, the coins are thoroughly washed, dried, sorted, and converted into euros.
Recently, the fountain has generated up to one and a half million euros each year, ultimately making a real difference for those in need.
