If you’ve been to Rome, you’ve probably tossed a coin into the Trevi Fountain like thousands of other visitors do every single day. The tradition gained popularity after it was the theme of the 1954 romantic comedy Three Coins in the Fountain, but it started long before the movie. Originally, it was said that a thirst quenching glass of water from the Trevi Fountain would ensure good fortune and a fast return to the Eternal City. Over time the legend of the Trevi Fountain evolved to tossing a coin in to ensure a return to Rome.
The precise legend of the Trevi Fountain says you should stand with your back to the fountain and toss a coin over your left shoulder to guarantee a return trip to Rome. I tossed my first coin in to the Trevi Fountain in precisely this manner with my friend Jess in 2006 and returned to Rome less than one year later. Of course I tossed another coin in to the fountain on that return trip in 2007, and while my next return to Rome wasn’t as speedy as after my first coin toss, I did move to Italy a mere two years later.
Bonus Legend: There is a miniature fountain on the left side of the Trevi Fountain. Legend says that if a couple drinks from the “small fountain of lovers”, they will be forever faithful to their partner.
After tossing my coin, I turned around and observed the thousands of international coins glittering in the fountain. As coin after coin plopped into the Baroque masterpiece and sank to the bottom, I wondered exactly what happened to what must a small fortune.
Tossing my coin in the Trevi Fountain in 2006
It turns out that there’s an even better reason to toss your coin into the Trevi Fountain than just wishing for a return trip to Rome. Each day the gushing torrents of the Trevi Fountain are silenced for one hour while city workers sweep the coins from the fountain. Since 2006, the year I tossed my own first coin into the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Catholic charity Caritas has been sorting and cleaning the daily loot from the fountain.
Find our recommendations on where to eat near the Trevi Fountain.
Caritas runs food and social programs for the needy and oppressed in 200 countries and territories worldwide. Somewhere around €8000 is collected three times a week (on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am – 9am when the fountain is closed to the public for cleaning and coin removal) from the Trevi Fountain (about $1.26 million annually) and distributes it among the needy. Caritas even opened a low-cost supermarket in Rome in 2008 for the needy.
So while you think you’re just doing something romantic while partaking in the coin-toss legend of the Trevi Fountain, you also helped the needy. Maybe on your return visit, you’ll toss in an extra coin or two. I know I will!
Know Before You Go
This post was featured on BuzzFeed in the article 36 Interesting Facts That Will Make You Want to Travel. This article contains affiliate links. When you book on Walks of Italy through our affiliate sites, we earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Stef says
How great that they donate the money of the fountain, I didn’t know that before. One more reason to toss a coin in the fountain!!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It is terrific that the money goes to charity and to a good cause. It makes you feel good about tossing your coin in!
Jenn Harding says
Absolutely Love that 🙏💗
Fiona says
What I wanted my wish to come true but at least they donate it…
Sue Sharpe says
I have not visited Rome (yet!) but I have occasionally wondered what happened to all the coins. How wonderful to find out that they are used for such a worthy cause!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Indeed, Sue! I would bet most people didn’t know their coin was helping to feed and clothe the needy.
Heather says
I’ve been to Rome twice and tossed a coin into Trevi Fountain both times. Hope to make a third visit in 2015 and am now even more excited to through in my coin!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Hope you make it back in 2015, Heather!
Kay says
I tossed my coin 5 years ago… still don’t plan the second trip to Rome 🙂
$1.26 million annually sounds impressive!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It’s been about 3 years since our last visit to Rome and we’re just a few hours from the Eternal City. I’m sure you’ll make it back someday!
Jessica says
Interesting! My dad visited Rome in the 70s and threw a coin in Trevi Fountain, and I visited about 2 years ago. It’s good to know that my wish was put towards something good. I wonder what happened to the coins before 2006?
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I’ve heard that before the money started going to Caritas, that two families controlled the cleaning of the fountain and split the money. I have no idea if that is true or not, but I’m glad the money goes to a good cause now!
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com says
I tossed a coin too. Hope the legend is true so I can go back 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
We hope you make it back someday, Aleah! Rome is a great city!
Adam Ross says
Wow that is an interesting fact! Now at least people can really tell where their coins are going. If it would not bring luck to them or grant their wishes, at least they can help have other people’s (in needs) wishes granted.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Very true! There is reason to toss a coin in to the fountain even if you don’t hope to return to Rome.
Adelina says
Wow, I had no idea! But its cool to know that all those coins are put to good use.
Travel with Bender says
I tossed my coin in 2001! I am headed back finally this year. More importantly when I was there we were told the Legend of the Virgin. That is if you drink the water you will be made a virgin again… Must of made me some kind of power-virgin haha. When I was there, there was a small hole in the wall to the right where water flowed that you could drink – I don't recommend actually drinking from the actual fountain 😀
Erin Bender (Travel With Bender) says
I tossed my coin in 2001! I am headed back finally this year. More importantly when I was there we were told the Legend of the Virgin. That is if you drink the water you will be made a virgin again… Must of made me some kind of power-virgin haha. When I was there, there was a small hole in the wall to the right where water flowed that you could drink – I don’t recommend actually drinking from the actual fountain 😀
Andrea says
I have not had my return trip to Rome yet but here’s hoping!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It sounds like you are due then, Andrea! Though don’t come now. It’s too hot.
Penny Sadler says
I've tossed many coins into that fountain and it's never failed me. 🙂
Larissa Milne says
I have in fact wondered exactly that! Thanks for sharing: a win-win for all 🙂
Ali says
I read about this a month or so before our trip, so awesome that the money in the fountain is put to a good charitable cause!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I had to do quite a bit of research to find out what exactly happens to the coins. But very glad it does go to charity!
Victor Tribunsky says
3 000 € in a day! Wow!
Why am I not the owner of this fountain?!
Jennifer, it is very interesting blog post, I have read it with please.
Next time in Rome, I’ll toss my coin too.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks, Victor! Indeed, it’s hard to imagine Italy’s economy is struggling when so much is being thrown into the Trevi Fountain each day.
David Ghosh says
It is an amazing gesture to toss a coin in the water of Trevi Fountain to dream next trip there.
Anyway,it is very good idea and the money goes to charity or money utilized to maintain such a historical fountain in Italy. May God bless you to drop more coins in to the water there.
David Ghosh at [email protected]
David Ghosh says
Me again, it is so lovely to know, Fendi for Fountain, Fendi Fashion House in Italy is investing lot of nickel for restoring and restoring the world famous Trevi Fountain.
My heartfelt THANKS goes to CEO & people of Fendi Fashion House.
David Ghosh at [email protected]
Lori says
My last visit to Rome was in 1964, and I tossed a coin into the Fountain de Trevi. Will be returning this September 2014. Yes!! It works!!
Sunay says
I went to trevi in March I love tossing coins!
DSR says
I had been to Rome in Jan 2009 and visited Trevi fountain, also threw the coin correctly but its gonna be 6 years and …..am still waiting!! May be a trip to Rome is round the corner!!
Faith says
Hope to go to Trevi fountain in Rome in the near future,,,and toss my coin too,atleast i would have helped someone out there in the charity.
sarah quigley says
Where did all the money go before 2006!
Ariel says
Tossed a coin in April 2011, heading back next year in Aug 2017!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Awesome Ariel! The Trevi Fountain just finished a huge restoration project, so it will look all shiny and new when you visit again.
Celine says
I would like to see the actual removal of the coins, just out of curiosity. Do you know when does this happens and if the public is allowed to watch? Thank you! 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
The coins are now collected three times a week. The fountain is closed off to the public on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8am – 9am when the ACEA team extracts coins in the fountain using a rake and a wet-vac. You could go by and watch, but it’s really not anything exciting.
Arnaldo says
This is fabulous information.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Zama says
This is FANTASTIC to hear Jennifer! Thank you. My husband and I are in Rome and will be going to the fountains today. After I’ve read him your article he’s now convinced it’s a good and cause worthy exercise.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Enjoy your trip to Rome!
hani says
I tossed a coin in 2010 and I always think about where the money goes. it’s so interesting for me that they donate the money 🙂
Cynthia says
I first visited Rome in 2012 and tossed my coin. Well, I just booked a trip to go back to Rome this year (2023)
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Awesome! I can never get enough of Rome!