Who Was The Tourist Who Carved His Name Into Rome’s Ancient Colosseum?

A tourist in Italy was caught on film carving names into the wall of Rome’s ancient Colosseum last month.

The video went viral on social media, sparking outrage and drawing heavy criticism from Italy’s culture and tourism ministries.

Authorities vowed to track down the English-speaking man and quickly identified him as Ivan Dimitrov, a 27-year-old fitness instructor living in Bristol, UK.

Tourist goes viral after scratching name into the Colosseum

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At the end of June, Dimitrov was captured on camera scoring his and his girlfriend’s name into the brick wall of Rome’s Colosseum.

Using a key, he wrote ‘Ivan + Hayley 23’ into the masonry of the nearly 2000-year-old building.

Dimitrov is now facing a fine of at least €15,000 ($16,350) and a possible five-year prison sentence for the act of vandalism.

The tourist, who is originally from Bulgaria, was identified after a video of the transgression when viral.

The clip was filmed by Californian tourist Ryan Lutz, who can be heard asking, “Are you serious, man?” In response, the suspect turns around and grins.

“He should be fined, and permanently banned from Italy,” one user commented on the video shared on Twitter.

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“How can anyone deface such a crucial part of world history? They just don’t get it!” wrote another.

Italy’s culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano shared a clip of the video on Twitter.

He commented that it was “very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancee.”

Italy’s tourism minister Daniela Santanche has also condemned the act of vandalism and vowed to punish the suspect “so that he understands the gravity of the gesture.”

“We cannot allow those who visit our nation to feel free to behave in this way,” she said.

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The Italian Carabinieri identified the suspect in the days following the incident. Dimitrov reportedly expressed “sincere remorse” for his actions and apologized repeatedly.

Tourists fined for bad behavior in Italy

Italy’s precious monuments frequently suffer at the hands of tourists. In January, an American tourist was fined $500 for attempting to drive across the pedestrianized Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

Last year, a Saudi visitor was detained by authorities after driving a rented Maserati sports car down the Spanish Steps in Rome.

The incident damaged the masonry of the famed staircase, and the perpetrator fled the scene after the vehicle became stuck halfway down.

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He was later caught by police while on his way to the airport.

Vandals in Italy could face fines of up to $65,000

In April, Italy approved plans to introduce charges for vandalism that would start at €10,000 ($10,900) and go as high as €60,000 ($65,400).

“The attacks on monuments and artistic sites produce economic damage to all,” culture minister Sangiuliano said in a statement.

The increased fines are also partly aimed at climate protesters who have been targeting Italy’s heritage during protests.

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