A man filmed carving names into a wall at Rome’s ancient Colosseum amphitheatre last week is a tourist who lives in the UK, Italian police say. They were able to identify him and the woman he was with from photos but did not name the couple. The man faces a large fine or a jail term up to five years, if charged and convicted.
In the video, the man is seen carving “Ivan + Hayley 23” - believed to be the pair’s names - on a Colosseum wall. Several UK media outlets say the pair are a couple who live in Bristol. They are believed to have left Italy.
The incident in the Italian capital was filmed by another visitor who verbally reprimanded the man before handing the recording to security officials. The incident prompted widespread condemnation in Italy and across the globe.
Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said: “This act was offensive to everyone around the world who appreciates the value of archaeology, monuments and history.” The nearly 2,000-year-old Colosseum is one of the best-known symbols of Imperial Rome, and is Italy’s most popular tourist site. It is a protected Unesco World Heritage Site, meaning it is considered to be a place of “outstanding universal value”.
Ivan’s a moron - I hope that he’s identified in the UK …
I think he has been identified - at least one tabloid has named who they think it is, together with pics lifted from his Facebook page.
(I won’t link to it here because it didn’t look as if it had been officially confirmed)
Some folk don’t use the brains they were born with - and his girlfriend didn’t make any attempt to stop him doing it.
According to the Director of the Colosseum, “What is worse is that he scratched his name right next to a large sign telling people not to write on the walls.”
The way he turned and grinned at the man who was filming the evidence of him defacing the monument was bizarre - did the idiot think he was doing something clever and someone was filming him out of admiration? - perhaps he thought it would earn him a few Facebook “likes” - stupid man.
I hope he’s got deep pockets to pay the fine - a guy got fined €20,000 a few years ago, for carving just one initial on the brickwork.
Pommies are well known for it, one of the bastards carved their initials in a rock when the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove. Flogging is too good for them.
When i read about that moron,i said to my husband " whats the betting the pillock is from England".
I was right,he is from Bristol according to what i just read on MSN.
You can`t educate the stupid sadly.
The man has been identified as Ivan Dimitrov, a 27-year-old fitness instructor and delivery driver who is originally from Bulgaria and lives in Bristol, according to The Telegraph.
He was filmed by an onlooker etching his and his girlfriend’s name into a wall of the 2,000-year-old monument last Friday. Wearing a blue floral print shirt, he used a key to write “Ivan + Hayley 23” in full view of the public. His girlfriend was identified as 33-year-old Hayley Bracey.
We have exactly the same problem here. Those Aboriginals can’t see a cave or rock wall without wanting to graffiti it, even worse they’ve been doing it for thousands of years and getting away scott free.
If it is any comfort in a thousand year’s time Ivan’s carving will tell future generations of life in Europe and might be revered as ancient art.
Italy has long depended on mass tourism to keep its economy afloat. Still, like many popular destinations that are becoming overwhelmed with visitors as travel demand soars, authorities are emphasizing the need to rethink how visitors interact with Italy’s heritage and infrastructure. Tourists are welcome but not to the detriment of residents’ quality of life and mobility.
If you’re planning a trip to Italy and don’t want to be that person who could offend (or worse, commit an offense), simply respecting the country and its citizens should be enough to keep you out of trouble. That said, even the most well-intentioned visitor might slip up from time to time. With that in mind, here’s a quick brief on what not to do on your next visit to Italy’s top tourist destinations:
Italian historical sites
Don’t…
Take a photo inside the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.
Sit down on the Spanish Steps.
In fact, don’t sit or lay down in front of shops, historical monuments and bridges. You’ll more than likely be moved on.
Drag pushchairs, scooters or wheeled suitcases up the Spanish Steps in Rome.
Eat or drink at famous sites in any city.
Eat on the streets of Florence’s historic center – Via de’ Neri, Piazzale Degli Uffizi, Piazza del Grano and Via Della Ninna - from noon to 3pm and from 6pm to 10pm daily.
Feed the birds in Piazza San Marco in Venice.
Wade in the Trevi Fountain. The activity is banned and you could risk a hefty fine.
Or, stand too close to the Trevi Fountain; city officials in Rome have been considering installing protective barriers around the historical monument for years. Even though they’re not in place yet, it’s a safe bet to act like they are.
Don’t treat historical sites like your home. In 2019, two German tourists were fined €950 ($1058) and immediately asked to leave Venice after they were found making coffee on a portable stove beneath Rialto Bridge.
Don’t damage any historical site or monument of cultural importance by carving your name or littering. You will be fined or worse, prosecuted.
In addition to vandalism, there are other less obvious tourist activities that are banned as authorities take steps to address the issue of overtourism and crack down on inappropriate behavior. Engaging in activities like swimming in Venice’s canals or sitting on the Spanish Steps in Rome can lead to fines or even a temporary ban from the area (known as Daspo).
“Overtourism” - the scourge of the 21st century, even mountains and oceans:
