From driving a car up Rome’s Spanish Steps to surfing Venice’s Grand Canal and destroying sculptures in the Vatican, some tourists have treated Italy as their own personal theme park.
Now, after a tourist from the Czech Republic sunbathing topless at a war memorial and Americans diving naked into Venice’s canals, three visitors to the Amalfi Coast look set to face charges of “lewd acts” after a woman was caught staging a shoot. of improvised nude photos on the steps of Amalfi Cathedral.
On Monday morning, around 7:30am, the woman was spotted by horrified residents posing for photos with only a red stripe covering her front, at the cathedral doors, which were merged in 1067 in what was then Constantinople, and below. a mosaic of Saint Andrew, whose relics are said to be housed inside.
The filming location was particularly painful for community members, said art historian and writer Laura Thayer, who lives in Amalfi and writes the blog Ciao Amalfi.
“The fact that it happened in the church is what made the episode so shocking,” she told CNN .
“The Duomo is a place of worship and a place very close to the heart of the Amalfitans. This specific background touches the historical memory of the places. The bronze doors date back to the days of the Amalfi Republic. These doors open for processions, for weddings, for funerals — moments that make life.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful, but Amalfi is much more than a beautiful backdrop for a photo on social media.”
A local woman who filmed the event can be heard calling the tourists “crazy”. “Naked in church,” she says in disbelief.
The cathedral – which dates back to the 9th century – is dedicated to the Apostle Saint Andrew, with his relics kept there since 1206. It was built during Amalfi’s heyday as a maritime superpower rivaling Genoa, Venice and Pisa. Today its narrow streets are invaded by tourists.
Local website Positano News, which published the video, said the trio – who did not ask for permission to film – were caught by police before leaving town. The portal added that their equipment did not appear to be professional.
Amalfi Notizie, another local website that posted the video on Facebook, said the woman – who arrived fully clothed at the church and climbed the steps to undress – told police they were just remembering her trip to the Amalfi Coast, rather than test for advertising.
A representative of the Amalfi police told the CNN that the trio was English: a male photographer, plus the model and assistant.
They added that the police referred them to the Public Ministry for “obscene acts in a public place”.
The Archbishop of Amalfi-Cava has not yet commented. A spokesperson for the mayor of Amalfi did not respond to a request for comment from the CNN .
In September, two women were caught taking a midnight dip in the Sant’Andrea de Amalfi fountain. The Baroque fountain, carved in the 18th century, is one of the city’s highlights, with a statue of Saint Andrew at the top.
Thayer said Amalfi is “busier than ever” this summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and with unusually hot weather, the crowds keep coming.
“Episodes like these are good reminders to respect the places we visit and the people who live there,” he added.
Valentina Di Donato of CNN contributed to this story.
Source: CNN Brasil
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