German tourist damages 16th-century statue while climbing for photo, officials report.
A Tourist’s Reckless Climb Damages 16th-Century Fountain in Florence
In a shocking incident, a tourist visiting Florence, Italy, has been accused of causing significant damage to a 16th-century fountain. The incident occurred when the 22-year-old tourist from Germany decided to climb onto the Fountain of Neptune in pursuit of the perfect photo, while his friends captured the moment. Unfortunately, his actions resulted in the breaking of a piece of marble and thousands of dollars in damages.
Mayor Condemns Vandalism of Cultural Heritage
Florence Mayor Dario Nardella expressed his strong disapproval of the incident, stating, “There is no justification for vandalism of cultural heritage.” He took to X to share his sentiments with the public, emphasizing the importance of preserving these historical treasures.
According to a statement from the city, the tourist bypassed the protective barrier surrounding the statue, located in Piazza della Signoria. He then proceeded to climb onto the statue, posing for photographs while his friends stood on the other side of the barrier. As he descended, he unknowingly damaged the horse’s hoof. By the time the alarm was triggered, the young man had already fled the scene with his companions.
Surveillance footage captured the moment the tourist broke off a piece of marble, and an image of him standing on the monument was shared by the mayor. The estimated cost of the damage amounts to 5,000 Euros, or approximately $5,375.
Questo turista ha pensato bene di salire sul Nettuno per un selfie. Per fortuna nessun danno, il sistema di allarme ha funzionato. Grazie alle telecamere del Comune è stato individuato e pagherà una multa salata. Contro il vandalismo sui beni culturali non ci sono giustificazioni pic.twitter.com/QVvBNYaygI
— Dario Nardella (@DarioNardella) September 4, 2023
The damage to the monument occurred at the chariot, where a piece of marble fell, and the horse’s hoof. Repairs are expected to be completed by October.
Under the city’s penal code, the tourist will face charges for the destruction and illicit use of cultural assets. If convicted, he may be fined and banned from returning to the city.
Tommaso Muccini, one of the fine arts architects responsible for maintaining the monument, expressed his frustration, stating, “The imbecile entered the fountain by passing over the projectors, creating interference with the sensors. Unfortunately, the sensors failed to trigger the alarm when he entered but only when he left. At least he was identified.”
The Fountain of Neptune, commissioned by Cosimo I de Medici, Duke of Florence, in 1559, is a remarkable depiction of the Roman sea god Neptune on a shell-shaped chariot pulled by horses. It commemorates the wedding of Medici’s son to an Austrian grand duchess. The fountain underwent complete restoration in 2018.
This incident is not an isolated case of tourists damaging historical landmarks. In Rome, there have been reports of tourists carving into the walls of the Colosseum. Similarly, two German tourists spray-painted soccer slogans onto the 460-year-old Vasari Corridor near Florence, and a teenager allegedly defaced a 1,200-year-old temple in Japan. These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of respecting and preserving our cultural heritage.
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