Tourist charged with damaging historic Florentine fountain in pre-wedding prank
Summary
A tourist in Florence was charged for climbing the Neptune fountain statue and touching its genitals as part of a pre-wedding prank, causing thousands of euros in damage. Authorities reported the damage and highlighted ongoing issues with tourists disrespecting historic monuments in the city.Key Facts
- The Neptune fountain in Florence was created in 1559 by Bartolomeo Ammannati.
- The tourist, 28 years old, climbed the statue and touched Neptune’s genitals on a dare from friends.
- Police charged her with defacing an artistic and architectural asset.
- Damage to the fountain was estimated at €5,000 (£4,340), affecting horse legs and a decorative frieze.
- Florence has seen repeated incidents of tourists climbing monuments, despite CCTV and stricter controls.
- A German tourist and a young couple also caused damage climbing statues recently.
- A teenager climbed the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore’s dome in 2024 for a selfie.
- Florence attracts about 16 million tourists yearly, and locals are protective of their historic heritage.
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