Irish Tourist Arrested After 'Carving Initials Into The Colosseum'

An Irish tourist was arrested in Rome for allegedly carving his initials into the Colosseum.

The 32-year-old was spotted by security staff at the Colosseum Archaeological Park using a sharp object to scratch his initials into the 1,950-year-old structure.

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Police were called and charged the man with damaging assets of historical and cultural importance, La Repubblica reports.

The two initials are reported to be around 6cm (2in) high and were scratched into a pillar on the first level of the Flavian Amphitheatre.

If convicted, the man could be looking at up to one year in prison or a fine of no less than €2,065 (£1,872).

The Colosseum underwent construction sometime between 70 and 72 CE.

It could hold around 50,000 spectators who came out to watch the legendary gladiators take on each other and wild animals.

Now it attracts thousands of visitors every year, but not all of them are respectful of the Colosseum's history and heritage.

Back in 2014 a tourist from Russia was hit with a €20,000 (£18,139) fine and given a four-year suspended sentence after carving a giant letter K onto the walls, according to The Independent.

In March 2015 a couple of American women were also caught trying to carve their names into the landmark.

The woman, aged 21 and 25, broke away from the tour group they were on to scratch out their names with a coin before taking a selfie. They were caught by police.

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Speaking at the time, a spokesman for the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological Heritage of Rome said: "There's a difference in perception.

"Museums are treated like churches, sacred places where there are things of great value.

"Whereas the Colosseum is an incomplete building which has already been robbed."

Archaeologist Federica Rinaldi told CNN: "The Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations."

Rinaldi added: "It is a monument that deserves everyone's respect because it belongs to everyone, and it must remain so.

"Carving one's initials, in addition to being a crime, seems to be a gesture of those who want to appropriate the monument.

"Better take a selfie!"

Topics: World News, crime

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19