Italian tourist hot spot Venice has recently announced the introduction of new laws and fines to try and control undesirable tourist behaviour. In May, the mayor of Venice announced there would be no new takeaway food outlets permitted to open in the city for the next three years. Earlier that month, city officials were criticised for their behaviour on the May Day weekend, where tourists and locals were segregated. And now, the city is proposing a slew of new fines, one of which is tourists to Venice could be charged up to €500 for sitting in undesignated spots.
In 2017, the city announced all large cruise ships of more than 55,000 tonnes would be banned from docking by 2021. While the Mayor of the city says these measures are being taken to preserve the city, protestors argue that the mayor’s actions suggests he doesn’t want to city to be inhabited at all.
Some of the proposed new rules are common sense, while others are a little strange. In addition to no sitting in undesignated areas, tourists to Venice must not:
Eat or drink while sitting on the ground at designated sights, swim in canals, make picnic stops out of public areas, pause too long on bridges, drop litter, ride or wheel bikes, stand or lie on benches, busk or make art without a permit, attach “love locks” to monuments and bridges, climb on trees, buildings and monuments, get changed in public, feed birds or sightsee topless or in swimwear. Making too much noise, whether at night or during siesta time (1-3pm), is also forbidden.
Committing any of the above crimes can result in a fine of up to €450.
Sitting in St Mark’s Square or on the Steps of the Rialto Bridge are also now prohibited.
Anyone planning to go to Venice should familiarize themselves with the new regulations as soon as possible to avoid run-ins with the law.
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