A tourist has caused thousands of dollars in damage to a historic Renaissance monument after climbing onto the Fountain of Neptune in Florence, Italy, during a bachelorette party, authorities said.
The 28-year-old woman allegedly entered the 16th-century fountain in Piazza della Signoria on April 18 and climbed onto parts of the sculpture before being stopped by police.
According to officials, the woman said she was attempting a “pre-wedding challenge” that involved touching the statue. The monument, commissioned in 1559 by Cosimo I de' Medici, sustained damage to decorative elements and the legs of the sculpted horses. Authorities estimate repair costs at around €5,000 (US$5,845).
Indeed, for some reason, certain people traveling abroad seem to think that normal rules of conduct just cease to apply. Like most tourists, they want to go see the ancient marvels and modern manifestations of culture in museums and galleries, and yet they leave a trail of waste in their wake, sometimes including the art and artifacts.
Of course, it's not always on purpose, but, as you'll soon see, many times it really is out of sheer stupidity. Through selfies, graffiti, and other foolish antics, these people are oftentimes responsible for stricter tourist regulations, huge restoration bills, and even the irreparable damage of priceless artifacts.
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