Tourism

Tourist fined for climbing on Rome's Pantheon

13 May, 2022

Passerby spotted man climbing outer walls of Rome landmark at dawn.

An American tourist, 26, was fined after being caught by Rome police while attempting to climb the dome of the Pantheon at dawn on Thursday 12 May.

Firefighters intervened with a ladder to help the man down, reports Italian newspaper La Repubblica, whose headline described the individual as "a drunk tourist".

Italy's battle with problem tourists

The man had almost reached the dome when police arrived - according to La Repubblica - and who allegedly informed officers that he was "a climbing expert".

There were no reports of damage to the ancient monument.

US tourists break into Colosseum at night to drink beer

The incident occurred the same week that the Spanish Steps were damaged after a tourist drove a Maserati down the famed staircase.

The recent return of tourists to Rome after a hiatus due to covid has coincided with a spate of anti-social incidents, from drones crashing onto landmarks to visitors jumping into the Trevi Fountain.