A 37-year-old British tourist is facing substantial fines after being caught carving his family’s initials into a wall at the ancient site of Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Italy.
The man, whose name has not been released, was apprehended by staff while defacing the House of the Vestals, an important historical residence once used by officials of the imperial court.
The vandalism included the initials “JW,” “LMW,” and “MW,” believed to correspond to his daughters’ names, along with the date “7 August 2024” and the word “Mylaw” scratched into the wall.
The incident was reported to the public prosecutor’s office in Torre Annunziata, and the man now faces severe legal consequences.
Pompeii, located south of Naples, is renowned for its remarkably preserved ruins, which were buried under volcanic ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The site attracts millions of tourists each year, drawn by its rich historical significance and the well-preserved remains of ancient Roman life.
The British tourist reportedly apologised to the local authorities, explaining that he wanted to leave a lasting mark of his family’s visit to the famous ruins.
However, his actions could result in significant financial penalties, as Italy has recently enacted stricter laws to protect its cultural heritage.
In January, Italy’s culture ministry introduced tougher fines for those caught damaging or defacing historical sites.
The penalties now range from €15,000 to €60,000 (£13,000 to £51,000), depending on the extent of the damage and the costs required to clean and restore the site.
Should the tourist refuse to pay these fines, he could face imprisonment.