Three activists from the anti-climate change organisation Last Generation poured a vegetable-based carbon liquid into the landmark 17th-century fountain, known to Romans as La Barcaccia, before being escorted away by police.
The fountain, in the shape of a boat, was designed by famed Italian sculptor Pietro Bernini.
Popular tradition has it he was inspired by the discovery in 1598 of a boat in the square after it was washed inland by a flooding Tiber river, Last Generation said.
Turning the water black "foreshadows the 'end of the world' scenario we are heading for, as we increasingly step on the accelerator: drought alternating with devastating floods, which will put an end to life on Earth, along with heat waves," it said in a statement.
Last Generation began carrying out peaceful but disruptive protests in Italy last year ahead of the general election, urging politicians from all parties to make climate change their priority.
The protests in Italy are part of a series of actions across Europe to focus attention on climate change.
Activists have thrown soup, cake, mashed potatoes or washable paint at heritage and culture sites and artworks in museums.
UK climate activists spared jail over Formula One protest
London (AFP) March 31, 2023 -
A UK judge on Friday spared from jail six climate activists from the "Just Stop Oil" group convicted last month over a racetrack protest at the 2022 British Grand Prix.
The demonstrators, found guilty of conspiring to cause a public nuisance after five of them briefly invaded the Silverstone track last July, received either suspended prison terms or community orders.
Judge Neil Garnham told the protesters that they had recklessly created a risk of death or "serious harm", but conceded the likelihood of that harm occurring had been "relatively modest".
Handing three of the defendants suspended jail sentences, and the remaining trio the year-long community orders, he factored in that the six had not reoffended since the incident.
Garnham also noted that the case could be distinguished from a spate of other disruptive protests in recent years by various climate activist groups because it caused danger rather than inconvenience.
"This was not trespass or obstruction of a highway or criminal damage -- to put it colloquially this was in a different league," the judge at Northampton Crown Court in central England said.
But he added: "I accept that the motive for all of you was not to cause harm but instead to voice your concerns about climate change."
The five protesters who breached the track briefly sat on the tarmac before marshals dragged them away as two racing cars hurtled past.
The sixth activist convicted was found in a car park with cable tie, glue and a "Just Stop Oil" banner.
They had pleaded not guilty and argued in court that the protest was safe due to its "meticulous" planning, but failed to convince the jury at their trial.
Just Stop Oil wants to end UK government approval for exploring, developing and producing fossil fuels.
Last year the group staged a flurry of eye-catching direct-action protests: blocking highways and throwing tomato soup over Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers" painting.
Other collectives, including "Extinction Rebellion" and "Insulate Britain" have held similar disruptive demonstrations.
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