Colosseum: Tourist who sculpted on wall ‘uninformed of arena’s age’

A traveler recorded sculpting names on to an inner wall at Rome’s ancient Colosseum says he did not understand how old the monolith was when he acted.

Bristol-based Ivan Dimitrov made the remark in a letter of apology to Rome’s mayor, stating he comprehended “the severity of the deed”.

He engraved “Ivan + Hayley 23” – his and his sweetheart’s names – on the 2,000-year-old amphitheatre with a secret.

His actions were recorded by a spectator in June and triggered condemnation.

A five-day authorities search followed and he now supposedly deals with legal procedures.

In the letter, seen by BBC News West, Mr Dimitrov provided his “sincere and sincere apologies to the Italians and to the entire world”.

He continued: “I confess with extensive humiliation that just after what regretfully occurred did I learn of the antiquity of the monolith.”

He said that he applauded those who “safeguard the inestimable historic and creative worth of the Colosseum with commitment, care and sacrifice”.

He included: “I am likewise familiar with the reality that a comparable conduct, in my nation, would lead to even more major effects.

“For this factor I presume all obligation and I will best regards and concretely devote myself to redeem and treat the error I made.

“The incivility, superficiality and thoughtlessness with which I acted, harming the Colosseum to the hinderance of anybody who legally wants to appreciate and enjoy it, have no validation.”

The attorney for Mr Dimitrov, Alexandro Maria Tirelli, informed the BBC: “We have actually already developed a plea deal demand.

“The boy will definitely gain from a suspended sentence, the reality is abhorrent however not major.”

The 27-year-old man was recorded by another visitor who verbally reprimanded him prior to handing the tape-recording to security authorities.

A video of the scene was submitted on to YouTube and shared throughout social networks.

If founded guilty of an offense, he might deal with a fine of approximately 15,000 euros (£12,500) along with a jail sentence of in between 2 and 5 years.

Mr Dimitrov’s attorney informed Il Messaggero paper that it is hoped the letter will help his customer prevent the harshest sentence.

The Colosseum is among the best-known signs of Imperial Rome, and Italy’s most popular traveler website.

It is a safeguarded Unesco World Heritage Site, suggesting it is thought about to be a location of “exceptional universal worth”.

The occurrence triggered prevalent condemnation in Italy and around the world.

Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said it “stank to everybody around the globe who values the worth of archaeology, monoliths and history”.