Overview
- The 28-year-old visitor, who city officials have not identified, climbed the Fountain of Neptune in Piazza della Signoria on Saturday during a dare to touch the statue’s private parts.
- Municipal police spotted the climb at once and removed her, then reported her to the Judicial Authority on a charge of defacing an artistic and architectural asset.
- A specialist from the Fabbrica di Palazzo Vecchio inspected the monument and found small but significant damage to horse hooves and a frieze, with repairs put at about €5,000.
- Authorities have not released the woman’s name or nationality, and they note she is presumed innocent until the courts issue a final judgment.
- Florence has faced repeat incidents at the 16th-century fountain, which led to CCTV after damage in 2005, and Italy approved tougher penalties in 2024 that allow five-figure fines for harm to cultural sites.