German Tourists Deface 460-Year-Old Vasari Corridor in Florence
In yet another incident of tourists vandalizing historic landmarks in Italy, the 460-year-old Vasari Corridor in Florence has been defaced by two German tourists. The passageway, connected to the famous Uffizi Galleries, was sprayed with Munich soccer-related graffiti on August 23. The two suspects, aged 20 and 21, were among a group of 11 students staying in an Airbnb in the city center.
Video surveillance footage helped the Carabinieri military police identify the culprits, and a raid on their Airbnb led to the recovery of spray paint cans and paint-stained clothing. The act of vandalism is estimated to require €10,000 ($10,800) worth of repairs, and armed guards will oversee the restoration work 24/7.
The Vasari Corridor, a one-kilometer-long construction by renowned Renaissance painter and architect Giorgio Vasari, was built in less than nine months in 1565. It was originally a secret route for the leader of the Medici dynasty, allowing them to travel between private family homes in the Boboli Gardens and the seat of governmental power, which is now the Uffizi museums. The passageway, which runs along the Arno river and across rooftops of central Florence, was closed to the public in 2016 due to safety concerns but has been undergoing renovation work since 2019 to eventually reopen to visitors.
This incident adds to a series of tourist misbehavior in Italy over the past year, including defacements of the ancient Colosseum in Rome and swimming in UNESCO-protected lagoons in Venice. Tourists have even thrown e-scooters and driven a Maserati down the Spanish Steps in Rome.
Florence Mayor Dario Nardella strongly condemned the vandalism as a shameful act and emphasized the seriousness of damaging Italy’s cultural heritage. Uffizi director Eike Schmidt called for stringent punishment, such as prison terms, for those who violate any cultural heritage site rather than symbolic penalties that often result in minimal consequences.
Italy’s Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano expressed gratitude to the Carabinieri for swiftly identifying the alleged perpetrators and stressed the importance of ensuring justice is served. Acts like this must not go unpunished, Sangiuliano stated.
This incident serves as a reminder of the need for tourists to respect and appreciate the rich cultural heritage that Italy offers. Authorities continue to investigate and address these cases in an effort to protect the country’s invaluable historical landmarks.
[Source: CNN]
