That’s one expensive gelato! American tourist, 55, is fined $450 for sitting on the steps of historic 16th century Rome fountain with gelato in one hand and a beer in the other
- The 55-year-old tourist, whose identity was not revealed, was eating gelato and drinking a cold beer when approached by Italian police on Saturday around 1 am
- The site was at Fontana dei Catecumeni in Italy’s Monti district
- After the tourist was slapped with the hefty fine, he pleaded: ‘I didn’t know the rules: I didn’t know I couldn’t sit down,’ he said
- The historic landmark located in Rome’s Piazza Madonna dates back to 1859
- Thousands flock to the historic site each year, to help deter visitors from leaning on the stairs and fountain protective tape has been place at the site
An American tourist got slapped with a hefty $450 fine for eating ice cream and enjoying a cold beer as he was sitting on the steps of the Fontana dei Catecumeni in Rome, Italy.
The tourist, who was vacationing in Italy’s Monti district, was fined for breaking one of Rome’s ‘urban decorum’ rules.
The man, whose name was not revealed, was enjoying a delicious gelato and drinking a cold one when he was approached by Italian police on Saturday around 1 am before the ticket fiasco took place.
The historic landmark located in Rome’s Piazza Madonna is modest and unassuming and dates back to 1859.
Thousands of tourists flock to the historic site each year, to help deter visitors from leaning on the stairs protective tape has been place at the site.
The popular gathering place was meant to be been cordoned off with tape, but was not when the man sat down to enjoy a midnight snack, he said.
The fountain, which is a popular gathering place for tourists and locals, was meant to be cordoned off with tape, but was not when the man sat down to enjoy a midnight snack, he said
An American tourist got slapped with a hefty $450 fine for eating ice cream and enjoying a cold beer as he was sitting on the steps of the Fontana dei Catecumeni in Italy’s Monti district
The fountain was taped off as part of a slew of new rules introduced by former mayor Virginia Raggi in 2017. The tape was meant to discourage people from eating and drinking while sitting at Rome’s fountains.
Previous rules also banned things like wheeled suitcases and buggies in order to protect the historical streets and landmarks, such as the city’s fountains. More than 1,500 fountains can be found throughout the capital city.
According to the local La Repubblica, when Italian officials first approached the man and asked him to move away he did not. The tourist claimed he did not understand what the officers were saying.
But, once the visitor was hit with the massive fine, he apparently understood loud and clear and didn’t appear very pleased.
‘I didn’t know the rules; I didn’t know I couldn’t sit down. I didn’t understand what you were saying to me,’ the tourist said, according to the news outlet.
The fountain was taped off as part of a slew of new rules introduced by former mayor Virginia Raggi in 2017. The tape was meant to discourage people from eating and drinking while sitting at Rome’s fountains.
Pictured: Fontana dei CatecumeniPiazza della Madonna dei Monti. More than 1,500 fountains can be found throughout the capital city
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