One of Rome’s most famous heritage sites, the Trevi Fountain, is in the headlines after a tourist was caught on video walking across the famous landmark to fill up her water bottle.
Lex Jones, who was visiting the site, caught the trespass incident, which took place 18 July, on camera. She tells Storyful website: "There were signs all over saying that's not allowed. I was just like, wow, this is crazy so I started videoing it." A police officer is later seen escorting the unidentified tourist away from the scene. It is unclear if the tourist was later charged.
The millions of visitors the Trevi draws annually are strictly prohibited from entering the fountain, which is considered a late Baroque masterpiece and has featured in a number of films, notably Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960). The Trevi, completed in 1762, is built on the rear façade of the Palazzo Poli and incorporates statues made of white Carrara marble.
Italy's heritage sites—and specifically Rome's—have been subject to vandalisation recently. The Colosseum was defaced on two occasions earlier this year while climate change activists from the Ultima Generazione group turned the water black in the Trevi fountain in May, releasing “vegetable charcoal” around the monument.
In April, the Italian government approved proposed legislation put forward by the culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, which recommended imposing fines between €10,000 and €50,000 on individuals who damage historic monuments. The proposal is expected to be adopted into law.