All articles tagged with #florence
A 28-year-old tourist climbed Florence’s Fountain of Neptune in the Piazza della Signoria for a pre-wedding challenge, causing small but significant damage to the statue’s legs and frieze. Repairs are pegged at about 5,000 euros, and she has been reported to the Judicial Authority for defacing an artistic asset, highlighting a continuing pattern of vandalism around the fountain.
A 28-year-old tourist climbed the Fountain of Neptune in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria for a ‘pre-wedding’ challenge, causing damage to the statue’s legs and a frieze. Repairs are estimated at 5,000 euros, and the woman has been reported to authorities for defacing an artistic asset, though she is presumed innocent until a court rules. The fountain—commissioned in 1559 by Cosimo I de Medici—has a history of damage and security cameras were later installed after prior incidents in 2005 and 2023.
John Adams's The Death of Klinghoffer, the controversial opera about the hijacking of a cruise ship and the murder of Leon Klinghoffer, returns to the Florence stage under Luca Guadagnino; debates continue over whether it humanizes victims or villains, with past critics like Taruskin condemning it, while supporters argue it exposes the unseen, and the author—having seen it in London—remains unconvinced by both sides and invites readers to share their views.
An 18th-century painting at Florence's Uffizi Gallery was damaged when a visitor tripped while taking a selfie, prompting the museum to consider stricter visitor behavior rules to protect artworks. The painting will be repaired and the exhibition temporarily closed until July 2, but will reopen as planned until November 28.
Outrage erupted in Italy after a tourist was photographed miming a lewd act on a replica statue of the Roman god Bacchus in Florence, sparking calls for stricter regulations and fines to protect cultural heritage. Local officials and residents expressed frustration over disrespectful tourist behavior and the challenges of managing overtourism in the city.
Renowned fashion designer Roberto Cavalli has passed away at the age of 83 in Florence. Known for his bold animal prints and glamorous designs, Cavalli founded his eponymous fashion brand in 1970 and became a globally recognized name in the industry. His legacy lives on through his art, creativity, and love for nature and animals. Throughout his career, Cavalli made significant contributions to the fashion world, and his impact continues to inspire designers and fashion enthusiasts.
The director of Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy, sparked outrage by likening the city to a "prostitute" due to mass tourism, prompting calls for her resignation. Cecilie Hollberg's comments were condemned by Italian politicians, with demands to not renew her contract and award it to an Italian instead. Despite apologizing and clarifying her remarks, the culture minister and Florence's mayor criticized her words as offensive, while former prime minister Matteo Renzi vowed to take the issue to the culture ministry. Florence's deputy mayor also denounced the comments as "delusional," emphasizing the significance of the city's history and the offense caused by Hollberg's words.
A "secret" room beneath the Medici Chapels in Florence, believed to have been used by Michelangelo as a hiding place while evading a death sentence, is set to open to the public for the first time. The room is adorned with charcoal and chalk sketches that remained unknown until 1975. The drawings, reminiscent of Michelangelo's previous works, offer a glimpse into the artist's creative process and include depictions of Leda and the Swan, figures from the Sistine Chapel, and a likeness of his famous David statue. Visitors will be limited to four at a time to preserve the space and its relics.
The historic city of Florence in Italy has banned platforms like Airbnb from its city center in an effort to address the housing crisis and protect the local population. The number of apartments listed on Airbnb has nearly tripled since 2016, causing a 42% spike in rental prices. The city government plans to incentivize property owners to convert short-term rentals into long-term ones, offering tax incentives and canceling property taxes for up to three years. The Italian government's plan to cap rental days at 120 per year is deemed insufficient by the mayor, who argues for more drastic measures. Cities like Florence and Venice have seen a decline in available housing, leading to protests and threats to their UNESCO protections.
Florence has banned new short-term residential rentals on platforms like Airbnb in its historic center, aiming to free up homes for local residents. The city also offers tax breaks to landlords of existing short-term rentals if they switch to ordinary leases. The mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, stated that the decision was made due to disappointing government regulations and the significant increase in rental prices. Italy, like other European countries, is facing a housing crisis fueled by low salaries, property shortages, short-term rentals, and high inflation. The central government is working on a bill to regulate short-term rentals, including a minimum stay requirement and a national identification code for each property.
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Florence, Italy, with its epicenter in Marradi. Regional authorities reported no significant damage, and checks on possible structural damages are ongoing. Several aftershocks followed the initial quake.
A German tourist in Florence, Italy, is facing a hefty fine after damaging a 16th-century statue while posing for a photo. The tourist climbed the famous Fountain of Neptune, breaking off a piece of marble and damaging a horse's hoof. The incident, captured on video and shared by the city's mayor, has sparked outrage and calls for respect towards cultural heritage. This is the latest in a series of incidents involving tourists misbehaving at landmarks in Europe.
A 22-year-old German tourist climbed onto Florence's Fountain of Neptune to take a photo, causing an estimated €5,000 in damages. He broke off a piece of marble and damaged a horse's hoof before running off. The tourist was identified through surveillance footage and now faces a heavy fine. This incident follows other cases of vandalism by tourists in Italy, including graffiti on the Vasari Corridor and scratching names on the Colosseum.
A 22-year-old German tourist climbed the famous Fountain of Neptune in Florence to take a photo, causing around €5,000 ($5,400) of material damage. He broke off a piece of marble and damaged the horse's hoof before climbing down. The tourist now faces a heavy fine, and the damage will be repaired during scheduled maintenance in October. This incident follows a series of vandalism cases involving tourists damaging historical attractions in Italy.
Fatz Café in Florence has permanently closed, leaving employees with uncertainty and unanswered questions.