Even Under Repair, Trevi Fountain Is Undefeated

With the big Catholic church Jubilee year starting December 24th, huge swaths of Rome are behind scaffolding and under renovation.  I've lost track of the number of churches that are closed.  

Even worse?  As previously mentioned, many of the fountains are behind plywood while being gussied up.

(Editor: "Gussied up?"  What is this, 1880s Arizona?  Writer: I write what comes to mind when it comes to mind.)

Trevi Fountain is not only being cleaned, but the authorities are trying to figure out better ways to manage the crowds, many of whom come seeking Insta-fame.

We were concerned that visiting Trevi Fountain would be a total dud, but we came away with a completely different opinion.

Yes, it's dry.  Yes, you have to wait in line to be allowed on the ramp that they've built to have the crowds walk past the fountain.  The ramp is elevated.  There's no pushing/shoving to strive to get up front.  As it turns out, this system is fantastic.

Even though it seemed long, we didn't have to wait very long in line, as they keep it moving.  At yet, when we got right on top of the fountain, we didn't feel rushed.  We had plenty of time for selfies (which is ALWAYS important!)

I hope they keep this system.  You get a LOT closer now than before, with an elevated perspective on the fountain.  Not having the water wasn't even that much of a bummer, as we could see more than we could if there was water in the fountain.  

We had seen some negative reactions to it on Twitter, but all five of us found it to be wonderful.

One of the six people in this photo

were not with us.  I will let you

guess which person photobombed.

And now for some pictures without people.

In the next photo, this angel is on 

the left at the very top of the photo.

The ramp isn't obtrusive

when you are on it.

The insignia of the Popes

since the 14th Century.

The center figure is simply

named "Ocean."

A Triton blows his conch.

A rare sight in Rome

-- a worker working!