Tourist causes €5,000 damage to 16th-century Neptune Fountain through carelessness

(Patria) - A tourist has been accused of damaging the historic Neptune Fountain in Florence after climbing onto the marble statue as part of a "pre-wedding prank" to touch the genitals of the Roman god figure.

Experts estimate that the damage caused amounts to several thousand euros, writes The Guardian.

The fountain is a famous landmark in Piazza della Signoria, commissioned in 1559 by Cosimo I de' Medici to celebrate the wedding of his son Francesco I to Grand Duchess Joanna of Austria.

The work by sculptor Bartolomeo Ammannati depicts Neptune in a shell-shaped chariot pulled by seahorses.

Police spotted the 28-year-old tourist, whose nationality has not been disclosed, and quickly brought her down from the monument. According to a statement from the Florence city authorities, the woman told the officers that her friends had dared her to touch Neptune's genitals.

City administration experts examined the monument and determined that the prank had caused "minor but significant damage to both the horses' legs she walked on and the frieze she held onto to avoid slipping".

City officials estimated the repair cost at €5,000. The woman has been charged by police with destruction and damage to artistic and architectural heritage.

This is not the first time a tourist has attempted to climb the Neptune Fountain. Surveillance cameras were installed in 2005 after a visitor broke the statue's arm and damaged the chariot.

In 2023, a German tourist caused significant damage while trying to climb the monument to take a selfie.

That same summer, a young couple attempted to climb a replica of Michelangelo's David in Piazzale Michelangelo.

Despite stricter controls around Florence's landmarks, rarely does a summer pass without similar incidents.

According to Giorgio Caselli, head of the city administration's fine arts office, it has become increasingly popular for visitors to climb monuments for "challenges".

In 2024, a teenager hid inside the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral at night and then climbed its dome to take a selfie.

Dressed in a black hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, he filmed himself walking up the monument's internal staircase, then emerged onto a small external platform, took a photo, and posted it on Instagram.

Caselli said visitors often show a lack of respect.

"Seeking physical contact with a monument is completely contrary to the objective, emotional, and intellectual awareness that we expect and encourage towards our monumental heritage.

We must not give in to the ignorance and superficiality that characterize such actions. Our goal must be to awaken and strengthen the civic awareness of those visiting the city, which includes not only respect for others but also for monuments," Caselli emphasized.

Florence is one of the most visited and populated cities in Europe, attracting around 16 million tourists annually.

"Florentines are protective of their heritage and view such visitors with suspicion. Perhaps because they do not live in the city, they perceive it more as a game," Caselli concluded.