If you’re planning a visit to Rome, write down your list of can’t-miss sites. Then, go to these ones instead.
Italy
Selfie-Seeking Tourist Damages Neptune Statue in Italy
It’s the latest in a slew of incidents concerning tourists trespassing on historic landmarks and cultural heritage sites across the country.
Rat Infestation Plagues Rome’s Colosseum
Soaring temperatures and litter discarded by tourists might have added to the problem, authorities say.
Amid Record Heat, Woman Refills Water Bottle in Rome’s Trevi Fountain
A video of an apparent tourist crawling into the historic fountain went viral.
Wildfires and Record Heat Threaten Italy’s Cultural Heritage
The Sicilian Archaeological Park of Segesta and the church of San Benedetto il Moro are among the landmarks impacted by fires in the Mediterranean.
Ruins of Ancient Roman Theater Discovered During Dig for New Hotel
The ruins of Roman Emperor Nero’s theater, long believed lost, were found under the gardens of the Palazzo della Rovere just outside of Vatican City.
The Sensual Politics of Jochen Klein
In Klein’s work, the critical structure and the sheer pleasure of painting are inextricable.
Siena Cathedral Uncovers Breathtaking 14th-Century Mosaic Floors
The large-scale floor is an artistic feat, covered in incredibly detailed philosophical and Biblical imagery inlaid over 56 marble panels.
Naples Police Arrests Unhoused Man Suspected of Setting Fire to Artwork
Online, some are pointing out the irony of raising funds to rebuild Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Venus of the Rags” while the homelessness crisis continues.
Tourist Could Face Jail Time for Etching Names on Colosseum
Italian officials decried the vandalism, which was caught on camera by a fellow tourist.
Pope Francis Hosts Contemporary Artists at the Vatican
The pope embraced art that questions traditional narratives, a marked shift from his condemnation of León Ferrari’s “blasphemous” sculpture decades ago.
Florence Museum Wins Copyright Lawsuit Over Image of “David”
A court ruled that Edizioni Condé Nast used a photograph of Michelangelo’s sculpture “insidiously and maliciously” in a magazine cover.