By NICK PISA
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Worries: Surveyors were today examining the facade of Rome's famous Trevi Fountain after several pieces of decorative cornicing fell away
Tourists looked on as barriers were put up around one side of the square to prevent them from getting to close in case there were further falls and an exposed black iron rod could be seen from where the cornicing had fallen.
Some were also disappointed as they had arrived on a Monday morning when the fountain is switched off for its weekly cleaning and maintenance.
Umberto Broccoli, superintendent of Rome's artistic heritage, dismissed claims of disrepair and instead blamed the fall of the plaster on heavy snow which blanketed the city in February in what were the heaviest falls in more than 30 years.
He said: 'There is absolutely nothing to be worried about. The pieces that fell away from the Trevi Fountain were small decorative pieces of leaf cornicing.
Problems: The incident comes after similar 'falls' at the Colosseum and the ancient walls encircling Rome
'In reality it was only only piece actually fell away we took the off other pieces as a safety precaution because they could have fallen away at any time and were therefore a danger but it was just a preventive measure.'
Mr Broccoli added: 'It looks like there has been some water infiltration and we suspect it was from the heavy snow and rain of the past winter. I have been up there and examined the area and it is fine.'
Fears: The Trevi Fountain incident immediately prompted claims that the state of some of the city's most famous monuments is at a critical level
However, opposition city councillors from the Green Party were not convinced and party chief Angelo Bonelli urged Romans to 'keep their eyes open for other signs of disrepair on the city's monuments'.
He added: 'The monuments of Rome are going through a period of poor upkeep that is without precedent.
'The latest incident is very serious and comes only a few months after what happened at the Colosseum.
'At this point we are seriously left asking ourselves just how good is the upkeep and maintenance of the city's monuments and artistic heritage. What else has to happen before this issue is looked at properly?'
The fountain was commissioned by Pope Clement XII and Nicolo Salvi and work began on it in 1732 and it was eventually completed 30 years later.
It stands on the spot where an ancient Roman aqueduct brought water to the city more than 2,000 years ago and has been the backdrop for several films inlcuding Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
Each week when the fountain is drained around €3,000 in coins is collected by cleaners and this goes towards charities in the city.
But police have often caught people with nets trying to scoop up the money thrown in. The last time the fountain had a major restoration was in 1991 although there was a smaller one 12 years ago.
