Tourist charged after damaging Neptune statue following 'pre-wedding dare' – National
A tourist has been charged with vandalism after allegedly climbing a marble statue in Florence as part of a “premarital dare” to touch the sculpture's private parts, Italian officials said.
This visitor, identified as a 28-year-old woman, tried to climb the Fountain of Neptune on Saturday, but was quickly spotted by the municipal police.
Police said his behavior “caused minor but serious damage to the fountain in Piazza Signoria,” according to a press release from the Florence city council.
The woman told police she entered the Fountain of Neptune, “climbing over the railing and the edge of the basin.”
“To avoid entering the water, he rode directly on the legs of the horse carrying the shell.” His intention was to 'touch' the idol's private parts as a pre-marital dare,” said officials.
Fountain of Neptune in Piazza della Signoria.
AP Photo/Universal Images Group
The police, who were nearby, “immediately intervened, pulling him out of the well.”
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On Tuesday, an expert from the Fabbrica di Palazzo Vecchio inspected the site to see if the game caused any damage.
“Inspection revealed minor but significant damage to both the hooves of the horses they were riding and the ground they were holding onto to prevent them from slipping,” officials said. “The girl was reported to the Judicial Authorities for vandalizing the artistic monument.”
Damage to the monument amounted to 5,000 euros (about $8,000 CAD), according to officials.
This is not the first time a tourist has caused damage to this famous statue.
In 2023, a 22-year-old German tourist damaged the Fountain of Neptune after he climbed into it to take a photo, Italian officials said.
Dario Nardella, the mayor of Florence at the time of the incident, posted photos on social media of the tourist riding the statue and shared the photo the tourist took.
“This tourist thought it was wise to board the Neptune to take pictures. Fortunately, no damage was done; the alarm system worked. Thanks to the city's cameras, he was identified and will pay a heavy fine. There is no excuse for destroying cultural heritage,” wrote Nardella on the X site.
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