Italy: Mineral water company to pay for Trevi repairs

Rome, 13 June (AKI) - Mineral water company Acqua Claudia said it will pay 200 thousand euros to fix the Trevi Fountain, an enormous 18th century fountain that is one of Rome's most recognizable monuments.

Gianni Alemanno, mayor of cash-strapped Rome, on Monday launched an appeal for private sponsorship of the fountain after small pieces broke off from its facade over the weekend.

"The Trevi Fountain is one of the symbols not only of our city, but of the entire country," said Mauro De Dominicis, owner of Acqua Claudia's parent company, based near the ancient Italian capital.

Alemanno appeal came after Italian luxury shoe billionaire Diego Della Valle in January agreed to pay for 25 million euros of restoration work for the 2,000-year-old Roman Colosseum.

About six months after Della Valle signed on to the restore the site of gladiator fights and staged naval battles, the project became dogged by controversy and delays and work has yet to begin.