Tourist filmed carving name into Rome’s Colosseum.
A tourist has been filmed using a pair of keys to carve a message into the walls of Rome’s ancient Colosseum.
According to the English-speaking man who recorded the footage, the incident happened on June 23.
In the video, which was shared on Reddit with the caption: “A**hole tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome”, a man carrying a backpack can be seen carving “Hayley 23” into the walls using his keys.
“Are you serious man? That is f***ed up man. Stupid a**hole.” the man behind the camera says in a North American accent.
The vandal then turns around and smiles at the cameraman, before continuing to deface the wall.
Many Reddit users were quick to call on the poster to send the video to police, so the vandal could be arrested.
If caught the man could face a huge fine.
In 2014 a Russian tourist was caught carving a 25cm ‘K’ into the historic building and was fined €20,000.
The Italian Council of Ministers implemented stricter fines in 2020 ranging from €20,000 to €60,000, along with criminal penalties, for those who “destroy, disperse, deteriorate, deface, or illegally use all or part of cultural property.”
“Damages on monuments and artistic places cause economic damage to the community. Their cleanup requires the intervention of highly specialized personnel and the use of very expensive machinery. Those who carry out these acts must also assume their economic responsibility”, explained the minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano.
Archaeologist Federica Rinaldi, responsible for the ancient Roman amphitheatre, said people who carve their initials into the monument want to “appropriate” it.
He added: “The Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations.”
Construction on the Colosseum began sometime between 70 and 72 CE and seated around 50,000 spectators.
They came to watch gladiators combat with each other and dangerous animals, including lions.
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