American Tourist Fined $500 For Driving Across Famed Italian Bridge

A US tourist has received a hefty fine after trying to drive across one of Italy’s most famous bridges.

The Californian man attempted to cross Florence’s Ponte Vecchio in a rental car.

The Ponte Vecchio, an ancient bridge spanning the Arno River, is pedestrianized.

Driving across it is strictly forbidden and can land you a fine of over $500.

The 34-year-old American, who has not been named, was fined €500 ($543) for his error.

According to a statement from the City of Florence, the man attempted to cross the bridge in a rented Fiat Panda car. He was also caught driving without an international driver’s license.

The tourist told police he was trying to find a parking space and wasn’t aware he had driven onto the historic bridge, the statement said.

The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge and one of the most important attractions in Florence.

The landmark is usually thronged with tourists admiring the views down the Arno.

The bridge is famed for the tiny jewelry shops that line each side and sell high-quality gold products.

The 98-foot-long monument links the historic center of Florence to the Oltrarno, a district often considered one of the city’s most authentic and trendiest neighborhoods.

The bridge has had to be rebuilt many times after being destroyed by flooding. The original structure was begun in 996 and finished in 1345.

Above the walkway is a long passageway known as the Vasari Corridor. It was originally used by Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici to move between the Pitti Palace and the Palazzo Vecchio.

It now houses a collection of self-portraits from the Uffizi gallery.

The Ponte Vecchio is due to undergo a €2 million restoration project soon, the city council has said.

The ancient bridge isn’t the only Italian landmark to suffer tourist misconduct.

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

The stunt caused damage to the capital’s famed monument, and the perpetrator fled the scene after the vehicle became stuck halfway down the stairs.

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