Dolce Vita fountain gets cleaned thanks to Fendi

(AP) The Fendi fashion house is financing a 2.12 million ($2.8 million) restoration of Trevi Fountain in Rome, famed as a setting for the film La Dolce Vita and the place where dreamers leave their coins.

The 20-month project on one of the city's most iconic fountains was being unveiled at a city hall press conference Monday.

Fendi CEO Pietro Beccari said in a statement that the company's sponsorship reinforces its Roman roots.

Italian fashion companies are coming to the aid of Italy's chronically underfunded culture world. The founder of the Tod's footwear company has offered to pay for the 25 million (nearly $34 million) restoration of the ancient Colosseum.