Protecting Rome’s fountains

The mayor of Rome, Italy, signed an order on June 13 that will help protect more than 40 Roman fountains of historic or artistic value from vandalism and misbehavior. 

The order calls for fines from €40 up to €240 (near $46 to $274) for acts such as throwing objects other than coins into fountains, washing clothes in fountains, climbing onto and into fountains and committing acts of vandalism. Roman police have also been tasked with monitoring fountain sites more vigilantly.

The order follows some high-profile incidents at fountains in Rome, such as in 2015 when, at the base of the Spanish Steps, Dutch soccer fans damaged the Barcaccia Fountain and filled its basin with broken bottles.