English Tourist Apologizes for Carving Note into Ancient Colosseum in Rome
An English tourist who was caught on video carving a note into the Colosseum in Rome has written a letter of apology, expressing his deep regret for defacing the nearly 2,000-year-old amphitheater. In the letter, addressed to Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and published in the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, the man identified as 27-year-old Ivan Danailov Dimitrov claimed that he was unaware of the historical significance of the world-famous monument.
“I admit with deepest embarrassment that it was only after what regrettably happened that I learned of the antiquity of the monument,” Dimitrov wrote in his letter. He also acknowledged the gravity of his act and offered heartfelt apologies to Italians and the entire world for the damage caused to a heritage that belongs to all humanity.
The Colosseum, completed by Roman Emperor Titus in 80 AD, is renowned for its gladiator combats that entertained thousands of spectators. Dimitrov was captured in a video using a key to carve the words “Ivan+Haley 23” (his name and that of his partner) into an internal wall of the monument. The video, titled “(Expletive) tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome,” provoked widespread condemnation after being uploaded to YouTube and shared on social media.
The video not only triggered public outrage but also led to police involvement. Italian officials promptly vowed to locate and punish the individual responsible for the act. The country’s culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, tweeted on June 26, describing the incident as “very serious, unworthy, and a sign of great incivility.”
After a five-day search, Italian authorities tracked the vandal to his residence in Britain, according to the Associated Press. Dimitrov now potentially faces a hefty fine and prison time for his actions, as vandalizing the Colosseum can result in fines of up to $15,000 and a maximum of five years in prison.
Dimitrov’s lawyer, Alexandro Maria Tirelli, hopes for leniency in his client’s case. He downplayed the act of defacement, characterizing Dimitrov as a foreigner who mistakenly believes that such behavior is acceptable in Italy but would be severely punished in their own countries.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of preserving historical landmarks and educating tourists about their cultural value. The Colosseum remains a symbol of ancient Rome’s grandeur and continues to attract millions of visitors each year.
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This article includes information from the Associated Press and was written by Eric Lagatta, a breaking and trending news reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at [email protected], and you can follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta.