Advertisement

s

Canadian tourist steals brick from Colosseum

Author thumbnail
Canadian tourist steals brick from Colosseum
The Colosseum was completed in 80 AD. Colosseum photo: Shutterstock

A Canadian teenager got into hot water with police on Monday after she was caught trying to steal a brick from Rome’s Colosseum, stashed away in her backpack, Italian media reported.

Advertisement

The 15-year-old reportedly wanted to take a “unique” souvenir home from one of the world’s most famous ancient sites, Italian daily Il Messaggero reported.

During a school trip the girl broke away a brick from the Colosseum, likely placed there when the amphitheatre was built nearly 2,000 years ago, and hid it in her backpack.

She was spotted by another visitor who took a photo and told the site staff, who in turn called the police, according to the newspaper.

The Canadian was stopped by police, who confiscated the ancient artifact, although it is unclear whether the girl was fined.

Rome authorities are no strangers to visitors behaving badly at the capital’s sites. In January Colosseum staff found an Australian man and his son graffiting their names on the ancient monument.

READ MORE: Outrage after Australians deface Colosseum

Troublesome tourists have also been wreaking havoc in Florence in recent months, with one American breaking the finger off a 600-year-old Renaissance statue and other visitors defacing the city’s treasured Ponte Vecchio with nail polish.

READ MORE: Tourist defaces Ponte Vecchio with nail polish

Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also