A tourist sparked outrage last week after he was caught on video defacing the walls of Italy’s Colosseum.
The man was seen scrawling “Ivan+Haley 23” into the ancient Roman structure:
Reputo gravissimo, indegno e segno di grande inciviltà, che un turista sfregi uno dei luoghi più celebri al mondo, il Colosseo, per incidere il nome della sua fidanzata. Spero che chi ha compiuto questo gesto venga individuato e sanzionato secondo le nostre leggi. pic.twitter.com/p8Jss1GWuY
— Gennaro Sangiuliano (@g_sangiuliano) June 26, 2023
Italy’s culture minister said he hoped the vandal would be “identified and sanctioned.”
According to the ANSA news agency, police are investigating, and the man risks a fine of at least 15,000 euros ($16,415) and a jail sentence of up to five years.
More than six million tourists visit the elliptical, 2,000-year-old structure every year; and this tourist is only one of many who have found themselves facing steep fines for scribbling graffiti on the world’s largest ancient amphitheater.
The structure once held 50,000 spectators, and it was in use for 600 years.
