The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Swiss woman under investigation for damaging Rome Colosseum

Colosseum Rome
Carving on the ancient stone of the Rome Colosseum carries a heavy fine. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved

Italian police are investigating a young Swiss woman on suspicion that she carved her initials on the wall of the Colosseum in Rome.

The probe was launched after an Italian guide filmed the 17-year-old woman using her smartphone to engrave the letter “N” on a wall of the historic monument on Friday, Italian news agency ADN Kronos reported.

The Swiss tourist could face a fine of up to 15,000 euros (CHF14,550) for damaging cultural property.

This is not the first such incident. On Sunday, the Italian agency also reported that a 17-year-old German on a school excursion had been fined for damage. He was caught carving on a wall of the Colosseum on Saturday, causing a fragment of brick to come loose.

Just a few weeks ago, a young tourist of Bulgarian origin living in England carved his name and that of his girlfriend on a wall of the Colosseum, sparking indignation from the Italian culture minister. A video posted on the internet caused a furore. The Bulgarian has apologised, but nevertheless had to pay a substantial fine.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Nestlé fined in Vaud - Henniez illegally filtered

More

Nestlé fined by Swiss canton for illegally filtered water

This content was published on Nestlé has been fined CHF 500,000 in the canton of Vaud for the unauthorised use of activated carbon filters in the production of mineral water. The filters were used to produce Henniez water from 2008 to 2022.

Read more: Nestlé fined by Swiss canton for illegally filtered water
Federal Council proposes restrictions on S status

More

Swiss government proposes restrictions on Ukrainian refugees

This content was published on Only those whose life and limb are at risk in Ukraine and who flee to Switzerland are to be granted S status in future. The remaining Ukrainian refugees should apply for asylum. This is what the Federal Council is proposing.

Read more: Swiss government proposes restrictions on Ukrainian refugees
6.4 million loan for the Château de Gruyères voted in Fribourg

More

Gruyères castle gets public funds for renovation

This content was published on The Fribourg parliament approved a sum of CHF6.4 million to renovate the ramparts, the walkway and the towers, as well as to replace the exterior lighting.

Read more: Gruyères castle gets public funds for renovation
Increasing rental housing listings, but not placating demand

More

Swiss rental housing listings increase for the first time in three years

This content was published on For the first time in three years, the number of advertisements for rental accommodation is on the rise, but this does not dampen demand, quite the contrary. In Ticino, the average duration of an advertisement published on the main portals is 30 days.

Read more: Swiss rental housing listings increase for the first time in three years
Child vaccination rates are stagnating in many countries

More

Switzerland doing relatively well when it comes to child vaccination rates

This content was published on Progress in child immunisation has stalled. For decades, the number of children vaccinated against measles, polio and other diseases has risen. But since 2010, vaccination rates have stagnated in many countries, according to a study.

Read more: Switzerland doing relatively well when it comes to child vaccination rates

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR