The practice of throwing coins into the Triton Fountain just outside City Gate in Valletta is on the rise, this newspaper has been told.
The famous fountain was recently restored in a €4 million project. The triton statues were sent to a foundry in Florence and the pedestal was given a much needed clean-up. The restoration project was part of a wider project encompassing the entire Biskuttin area renovation, costing a total of €10 million.
A spokesperson for the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry said the coins do not cause any damage to the fountain.
Asked if the fountain was being cleaned up and where the money went, the ministry said the coins are collected by its workers and are deposited into the Consolidated Fund.
In some European cities, such as Rome, the coins collected from the famous Fontana di Trevi are given to charity.
Photo: Michael Camilleri