Title: German Tourists Accused of Toppling Valuable Statue in Northern Italy
Subtitle: Villa manager lodges complaint against group for damaging historic artwork
Date: [Current Date]
A group of young German tourists visiting northern Italy have come under fire for allegedly toppling a valuable statue at a renowned villa. According to the villa’s manager, the tourists were posing for pictures to share on social media when the incident occurred.
The statue in question, called “Domina” and created by artist Enrico Butti, stood tall at 1.70 meters. Two members of the group reportedly climbed into a fountain to hug the artwork, while another used a stick to push it. As a result, the statue came crashing down, causing substantial damage.
Bruno Golferini, the manager of Villa Alceo in the town of Viggiu, condemned the irresponsible behavior of the tourists. He stated that he has since lodged a complaint with the local police against all 17 individuals who were part of the group renting the villa. The incident, which was captured by the villa’s surveillance cameras, took place on Monday, and the tourists have already left Italy.
The 150-year-old statue held significant historical and monetary value. It was estimated to be worth around 200,000 euros ($218,000), as shared by Golferini. In addition to the damage inflicted on the statue, the tiles in the fountain were also impacted, making the restoration process even more challenging.
Golferini expressed his deep disappointment over the incident, emphasizing the symbolic importance of “Domina” as a protector of the villa. He described the tourists’ actions as ignorant and lamented the disregard shown towards cultural heritage.
This incident follows a previous case of disrespect towards Italy’s iconic landmarks. In June, an English tourist sparked outrage after she was caught on social media vandalizing the Colosseum in Rome by writing the graffiti “Ivan + Hayley 23” on a wall.
Tourists are being reminded of the importance of respecting and preserving historical sites and artworks. Authorities in Italy are increasingly taking strong action against visitors who engage in such behavior, sending a message that cultural heritage should be cherished and protected for future generations.