Individual transportedly antiquated column base across Rome on an e-scooter, German national involved. - Roman resident transports historical column bases on electric scooter in Rome city
In Rome, a German tourist has found himself under scrutiny after an unusual incident. On Wednesday afternoon, the 24-year-old man, identified as a tourist, was spotted navigating through the Italian capital on an electric rental scooter, balancing a 30-kilogram marble pedestal of an ancient column between his legs.
The Carabinieri halted the man and reported him to the public prosecutor's office. This incident unfolded near Villa Borghese Park, close to the world-renowned Trevi Fountain on Via Vittorio Veneto. The origin of the column piece is currently under investigation.
Initial expert analysis suggests that this approximately 40 by 20 centimeter marble artifact is a "cultural good of historical and artistic interest." The German tourist now faces potential charges of trafficking in cultural goods following the incident.
In Rome and throughout Italy, the legal framework for combating the trafficking of cultural goods is robust and strictly enforced. The Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (TPC) works alongside Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) to monitor and investigate illicit activities involving cultural property.
Italy's legal framework consists of legislative decrees, the Penal Code, and laws against illicit trade and fraud. Under the Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape, cultural property includes archaeological objects discovered on Italian soil, as well as certain historical, artistic, and other cultural goods.
The Penal Code criminalizes the unlawful removal, transfer, or receipt of cultural property. Penalties range from imprisonment and fines to extend prison terms for aggravated cases or involvement in organized crime. All illegally obtained or trafficked cultural goods are subject to seizure and return to the state.
The Carabinieri TPC and ADM conduct regular operations, including border checks, online surveillance, and raids, to intercept illicit activities. Italy also collaborates with other countries through joint operations to combat cross-border trafficking.
The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive aimed at protecting cultural heritage, especially in the context of the outdoor-living and home-and-garden sectors, given the increasing trend of incorporating antique items into modern lifestyle designs. The German tourist's case, involving a marble pedestal, underscores the importance of such legislation, as lifestyle choices can inadvertently contribute to the trafficking of cultural goods.
