A 27-year-old tourist from the Netherlands was reprimanded by Italian police for allegedly vandalizing a historic Roman wall in Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town covered in volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The man signed the walls of a domus with a marker, causing damage to the ancient stuccoes. Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano emphasized the importance of preserving heritage and punishing such actions with firmness.
The tourist, who was touring southern Italy on vacation, was immediately identified and reported for the damage and defacing of artistic works. This incident is not an isolated case, as last summer, a British tourist also apologized for defacing the Colosseum in Rome. Ivan Danailov Dimitrov carved a wall with his name and his fiancée’s name, prompting him to acknowledge his mistake and apologize for damaging a monument that is part of humanity’s heritage.
Italian law enforcement agency, the Carabinieri, expressed their disapproval of the tourist’s actions, emphasizing the significance of preserving historical and cultural heritage. The suspect was punished for damaging and oxidizing the artwork on the ancient wall. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and protecting ancient sites and monuments that hold valuable historical and cultural significance.
The Dutch tourist who vandalized the historic Roman wall in Herculaneum with a marker was reprimanded and reported to authorities for his actions. Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano condemned the act of defacing artistic works and emphasized the need for strict punishment for such vandalism. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of tourists damaging historical sites and monuments without understanding the consequences of their actions.
The tourist, who was on holiday in Campania, chose to leave his mark on the ancient stuccoes of a house in Herculaneum, causing irreversible damage to the artwork. Italian police identified the suspect, and the Carabinieri took action against him for his violation of historical property. Sangiuliano stressed that any damage to heritage sites harms the country’s beauty and identity, underscoring the importance of protecting and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
The incident in Herculaneum is part of a larger trend of tourists defacing historical sites in Italy, including the Colosseum in Rome. The case of the Dutch tourist serves as a reminder of the need for responsible tourism and respect for cultural heritage. Sangiuliano’s statement reflects the government’s commitment to preserving historical monuments and ensuring that individuals who vandalize such sites are held accountable for their actions. Ultimately, the incident underscores the importance of raising awareness about the importance of protecting and respecting historical landmarks to prevent similar acts of vandalism in the future.
