The ancient city of Pompeii, remarkably preserved under the ash of Mount Vesuvius’s eruption in 79 CE, offers a rare glimpse into life nearly 2,000 years ago. Its intact streets and structures provide an unparalleled opportunity to witness history frozen in time.
Recent Vandalism Incident
However, recent events have marred this historical treasure. This week, a British tourist was apprehended for defacing one of Pompeii’s ancient homes. The 37-year-old, whose name has not been released, was caught carving the initials of himself and his family into the wall of the House of the Vestal Virgins. The inscriptions, made with a blunt object, included the initials “JW LMW MW” and the date “MYLAW 07/08/24.”
Damage and Response
Photos of the vandalism reveal the engravings scratched into the wall beside the entrance door, which features a nearly 2,000-year-old red fresco. Site staff noticed the damage and promptly alerted the police. According to Italian news agency ANSA, the tourist expressed remorse, explaining that the carvings were intended to mark his family’s visit.
Legal Consequences
The archaeological park has chosen not to comment publicly on the incident. However, this case follows a similar incident in June, when a tourist from Kazakhstan was caught carving initials into another Pompeii house. Pompeii’s director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, previously stated that the offending tourist was required to cover the cost of restoring the damaged site.
The current case has been escalated to the local court in Torre Annunziata, where it is being prosecuted as “damage to artistic heritage.” This charge could result in fines ranging from 20,000 to 60,000 euros and potential imprisonment of up to five years under recently tightened laws. Lesser charges for defacing heritage sites may incur fines between 10,000 and 40,000 euros.
Historical Context of Vandalism at Pompeii
Pompeii has frequently been subjected to vandalism throughout its history, with tourists carving initials and removing artifacts since excavations began in the 1700s. Notably, in 2022, an Australian tourist was reported for riding a moped around the ancient site.
Broader Issues of Tourist Behavior
This incident reflects a troubling trend of poor behavior by tourists in Italy, particularly at art and archaeology-focused sites, which are often more delicate and susceptible to damage.