monuments
Wall scratched in the Colosseum in Rome: tourist identified
The Colosseum, which is around 2000 years old, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy and is considered the symbol of Rome. photo
© Andrew Medichini/AP/dpa
Italian Carabinieri have identified the tourist allegedly scratching a wall in Rome’s famous Colosseum. The young man is said to have used a key to carve his name and that of his girlfriend into the brickwork inside the tourist-popular amphitheater in the heart of the Italian capital. The Carabinieri announced late Thursday afternoon that the man was from England.
The Italian Carabinieri have identified the tourist who smashed a wall in the famous Coliseum in Rome is said to have scratched. The young man is said to have used a key to carve his name and that of his girlfriend into the brickwork inside the tourist-popular amphitheater in the heart of the Italian capital. The Carabinieri announced late Thursday afternoon that the man was from England.
The young man was caught red-handed by another visitor to the Colosseum. He filmed him – the video went viral on social media earlier this week. The case sparked outrage in Italy. After the park management of the Colosseum had filed a complaint, the tourist from England could be identified using photo and video comparisons, the Carabinieri said.
Italy’s culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, who previously condemned the scrawl, thanked the carabinieri. “It was an act that offended all those around the world who appreciate the value of archaeology, monuments and history,” he said in a statement.
The man could now face a hefty fine: a few years ago, a Russian tourist who had scratched a wall in the Colosseum had to pay a fine of 20,000 euros.
The Roman landmark, which is around 2000 years old, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy and is considered the symbol of the Eternal City. It was built in the 1st century AD and is considered the largest amphitheater in the world. In ancient Rome, sometimes cruel and brutal gladiator fights took place in it. The Colosseum attracts millions of visitors every year.