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Italy: what happens to the coins thrown into the Trevi Fountain?
Italy: what happens to the coins thrown into the Trevi Fountain?
(France 2)
According to legend, throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome would guarantee tourists a return to Italy. Who gets the jackpot from this historic monument?
Every day, thousands of people repeat the same gesture. By throwing a coin into the famous Trevi Fountain, tourists make a wish. Legend has it that three coins must be thrown: one to return to Rome, another for love and the last for luck. However, throwing a coin into this fountain is also an act of generosity.
A wish of solidarity
Twice a week, a small jackpot is collected in the water. Each harvest, 200 to 400 kilos of parts are collected, the equivalent of 4,000 to 8,000 euros. Before being used, the parts are sorted and washed in a secret location. Foreign currencies are sometimes found among cents and euros. The Caritas association, which collects them, obtains 1.5 million euros each year. These funds allow him to open five supermarkets to help 2,000 families in need.
