“We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way.”
Italian police have said they believe the man filmed carving names on the walls of the Colosseum in Rome last week is a tourist from England.
Footage which circulated online over the last few days showed the man using keys to engrave ‘Ivan + Hayley 23’ on to the almost 2,000-year-old building.
The man, who is seen wearing a blue t-shirt and carrying a black rucksack, and his girlfriend are believed to be tourists from Bristol who have since left Italy.
ROME—Italian Government is seeking to identify this tourist, who carved the name of his girlfriend, “Hayley”, into the wall of the Colosseum.
Do NOT visit a country and deface historical and/or sacred landmarks.
— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) June 26, 2023
Tourist’s graffiti sparks widespread condemnation.
The incident has fueled a huge backlash in Italy and all over the world, with many condemning the act. Photographic comparisons were used by Italian police to figure out who the man was.
The tourist now faces a large fine or a jail term up to five years, if charged and convicted.
Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said: “This act was offensive to everyone around the world who appreciates the value of archaeology, monuments and history.”
Tourism Minister Daniela Santanche said that she hopes the tourist is sanctioned “so that he understands the gravity of the gesture.”
“We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way,” she added.
The Colosseum is one of the most iconic symbols of Imperial Rome, and is Italy’s most popular tourist site. It is also a protected Unesco World Heritage Site, labeled as a place of “outstanding universal value”.
It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world, despite its age. Construction of the building began in 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian.
The incident is actually the fourth time this year that graffiti within the walls of the building has been reported.
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