A 30-year-old Canadian tourist has been booked by police in Rome after staff caught her carving her initials on a wall of the Colosseum.
The woman was caught by a security guard as she used a sharp stone to scratch her initials into the Ancient Roman amphitheatre on 12th July.
The security guard stopped her in the act and called police, who took her to Celio police station.
They booked her for the crime of defacing and fouling objects of historical and artistic interest.
She reportedly apologised for her actions.
This act of vandalism comes just days after a Chinese tourist was booked for accidentally crashing a drone in the archaeological park of the Colosseum while tourists were visiting.
Flying drones over the area is strictly prohibited.
And weeks earlier, two American tourists were fined after they damaged the Eternal City’s iconic Spanish Steps with their e-scooters.
The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built and remains the largest standing amphitheatre in the world.
Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD under the rule of his successor, Titus.
Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian, which lasted from 81 to 96 AD.
Built of travertine limestone, tuff and brick-faced concrete, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as animal hunts and executions.
It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Historic Centre of Rome’.
Commenting on the latest incident, one online commenter wrote: “Feed her to the lions.”
While another replied: “Carve ‘Colosseum’ into her.”
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Story By: William McGee, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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