A British tourist has issued a formal apology after being filmed carving his and his fiancée's names into a wall of Rome's iconic Colosseum. Ivan Danailov Dimitrov, 31, expressed remorse in a letter published by Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, addressing his apology to "Italians and the entire world" for damaging a monument considered "heritage of all humanity." The video, which quickly went viral, showed Dimitrov etching "Ivan+Haley 23" onto a brick wall before turning to the camera with a smile.
In his letter, Dimitrov claimed ignorance of the Colosseum's historical significance, stating he only realized the "monument's antiquity" after the incident. He expressed deep shame and acknowledged the gravity of his actions in the letter addressed to the mayor of Rome and the Roman prosecutor's office.
While the specific wall defaced was part of a 19th-century restoration, the act sparked widespread condemnation in Italy, where historical sites have frequently been targets of vandalism. Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano called the act "serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility," expressing hope for the vandal's identification and prosecution.
The Colosseum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was originally constructed in 72 AD and completed in 80 AD under Emperor Titus.
