Rome introduced a queuing system when the Trevi Fountain reopened after being restored

Rome’s world-famous Trevi Fountain has reopened after a three-month restoration.

Built in the 18th century by Italian architect Nicola Salvi on the facade of the Poli Palace, the historic fountain is one of the city’s most visited sites.

Between 10,000 and 12,000 tourists used to visit the Trevi Fountain each day, but a new queuing system has been installed to prevent large crowds from gathering near the landmark.

Speaking on Sunday, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said imposing the limit would “allow people to better enjoy the fountain without crowds or confusion”.

Gualtieri also said the city government is considering charging a modest admission price to fund maintenance of the fountain.

Sunday’s reopening ceremony took place in a light rain in front of hundreds of tourists, many of whom followed the mayor by throwing coins into the fountain.

The three-month cleaning project included removing mold and calcium deposits.

Fountains and other important city sites were cleaned before the Roman Catholic Church’s celebrations began on Christmas Eve.

Its poor structural condition is came to light in 2012 when pieces of its intricate bezel began falling off after a particularly harsh winter that required multi-million euro renovations the following year.

Making a wish and throwing coins into the water is a tradition that used to net the city government about 10,000 euros (£8,300; $10,500) a week.

The money was donated to a charity that provides meals to the poor.

• Authorized by Pope Clement XII in 1730
• This is the end of one of the aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome
• Acqua Vergine runs a total of 20km (12 miles) before flowing into the fountain
• Visitors can drink water from a special tap hidden on one side
• According to legend, the water source was discovered in 19 BC by thirsty Roman soldiers who were led to the site by a young virgin – which is why it is called the Virgin Waters
• The tradition of throwing coins into fountains was made famous by Frank Sinatra’s Three Coins in the Fountain in the 1954 romantic comedy of the same name.