Summary
1. Heat Wave in Italy
With Italy facing a record heat wave this summer, tourists are naturally trying to find ways to cool down. However, one tourist’s drastic action to stay hydrated has sparked controversy for all the wrong reasons.
2. Viral Incident at Trevi Fountain
This week, a video that has gone viral depicts a person trespassing and climbing onto the historic Trevi Fountain in Rome. The individual casually filled a bottle with water from the iconic fountain, prompting a security official to blow a whistle and demand their exit.
The incident has left onlookers and social media users perplexed and dismayed. It remains unclear whether the trespasser faced any repercussions for their actions.
3. Historic Significance of the Trevi Fountain
Known as “the most famous of the Roman fountains: a jewel of water and stone” according to Rome’s tourism website, the Trevi Fountain was constructed in 1762. This magnificent fountain attracts millions of visitors each year and is situated at Piazza di Trevi, conveniently located in the heart of Rome—east of the Pantheon and northwest of the Colosseum.
4. Previous Trespassing Incidents
Regrettably, this isn’t the first time this year that individuals have trespassed at significant Italian landmarks. In May 2023, climate activists protested by dumping charcoal into the Trevi Fountain, resulting in its draining and cleaning—a waste of over 300,000 liters of water, as reported by the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, in a social media post.
Additionally, this summer saw another incident where a visitor defaced Rome’s historic Coliseum, carving “Ivan+Haley 23” into the ancient structure. Vandalism like this has been increasingly documented, including a notable case in September 2020 when a tourist etched his initials into the Coliseum’s stone.
