Italy’s culture minister is calling for a man to be “identified and sanctioned” after he was filmed allegedly carving his and his fiancée’s names into the Colosseum in Rome.

Gennaro Sangiuliano tweeted: “I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, a historical heritage (site) such as the Colosseum, to carve the name of his fiancée.”

“I hope that whoever carried out this act will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws,” he continued.

Rome Colosseum vandalism
Italy’s culture minister is calling for a man to be “identified and sanctioned” after he was filmed allegedly carving into the Colosseum in Rome. (Twitter)
rome colosseum defaced
The alleged incident took place on Friday, and police were alerted by videos appearing on social media, ANSA reported. (Twitter)

The minister’s tweet included a blurred image of the young tourist, as well as a video that appeared to show him using keys to carve letters into one of the walls of the nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheater.

The inscription read “Ivan+Haley 23,” according to Italian news agency ANSA.

rome colosseum defaced
The inscription read “Ivan+Haley 23,” according to Italian news agency ANSA. (Twitter)

The alleged incident took place on Friday, and police were alerted by videos appearing on social media, ANSA reported.

If convicted of a crime, the man could face a fine of at least €15,000 ($24,00) or up to five years in prison.

A similar incident occurred in 2020, when an Irish tourist was accused of vandalising the Colosseum, after security staff spotted him allegedly carving his initials into the ancient structure and reported him to the police.

Does 2000-year-old Italian fresco show the world’s oldest pizza?

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
You May Also Like

It’s like these Mets can do no wrong as Party Citi vibes grow

In one of the greatest defensive half-innings you’ll ever see, Mets center…

LIVE: Election campaign 2025 – Anthony Albanese makes bombshell admission about Voice failure in his last major speech before Australians go to the polls

By BRETT LACKEY FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 19:35 EDT, 29 April…

Liberal Party escalates legal stoush after campaign signs taken from pre-poll station

The Liberal Party will take a Melbourne council to court, after a…

Peter Dutton sparks cost of living uproar after eagle-eyed Aussies spot extraordinary detail about his outfit

By CHARLOTTE MCINTYRE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 05:58 EDT, 30 April…