Tourist takes forbidden plunge at iconic landmark as visitors watch, stunned

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A tourist visiting Rome drew outrage and anger on social media after he dove into thecity’s famous Trevi Fountain.

The man was described by British media outlet The Telegraph as a 30-year-old visitor from New Zealand.He was filmed jumping into the historic fountain while fully clothed as crowds nearby watched.

ATikTok videoof the incident, which has been viewed more than 12 million times, showed the tourist walking backward before running toward the fountain and then diving into the water.

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The man continued moving around inside the fountain even as police ordered him to get out, according to the outlet.

Authorities reportedly fined him €500, or roughly $580 — and banned him from returning to the site, the outlet noted.

Hundreds of tourists walking and gathering around Trevi Fountain in Rome

Rome’s famed Trevi Fountain is shown above.A tourist (not shown) drew criticism online after being caught on video jumping fully clothed the water.(Seyit Konyali/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Trevi Fountain is one ofRome’s most visited landmarks.It has endured repeated instances of touristsentering the waterdespite strict rules and increased security measures.

respecting placeslesson,” one Reddit user wrote.

Tourists visiting the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy

The Trevi Fountain is one of Rome’s most visited landmarks.It has endured repeated instances of tourists entering the water despite strict rules and increased security measures.(Li Jing/Xinhua)

Another commenter added, “Obviously didn’t get the ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do’ memo.”

Others argued the punishment should have been more severe.

Italian authority, I would make an example out of this guy,” one user commented.

The controversy follows several similar incidents at the Trevi Fountain in recent years.

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Trevi Fountain with tourists in Rome Italy

The incident quickly drew outrage online, with many social media users calling the tourist’s actions disrespectful.(iStock)

Beginning in February 2026, foreign visitors have been required to pay a small entry fee to access the landmark as city officials attempt to better manage crowds and preserve the historic site.

The Trevi Fountain attracts tens ofthousands of visitors dailyand more than 9 million people annually, according to Rome officials.

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City leaders previously said overcrowding at the fountain had become increasingly difficult to manage, particularly duringpeak tourism periods.