Tourist's Bachelorette Party Leads to Damage of Historic Florence Statue

A tourist caused significant damage to the 16th-century Fountain of Neptune in Florence during a bachelorette party, resulting in repair costs of approximately $5,845. The unidentified 28-year-old woman climbed onto the fountain to engage in a pre-wedding challenge, which involved touching the statue, leading to damage on the legs of the horses and a frieze. Authorities reported her to the Judicial Authority for defacing an artistic asset, although she is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This incident highlights ongoing issues with tourist behavior around the historic monument, which has faced similar incidents in the past.

Key Details: • Repair costs estimated at 5,000 euros ($5,845) • Incident occurred on Saturday during a bachelorette party • The Fountain of Neptune was commissioned in 1559 • Previous damage incidents led to the installation of security cameras