'Go and do something similar in England' Tourists' dip in 17th century fountain SLAMMED
THREE scantily-clad tourists are at the centre of an unlikely controversy – after stripping off to take a dip in a 17th century fountain.
The women took a dip in Rome's Fontana dell'Acqua Paola
The unidentified trio – who risked a £170 fine when they donned swimsuits and bathed in the Roman fountain this weekend – were slammed as “rude” by furious Italian locals.
It is unclear whether the women received any form of punishment – with some social media users demanding they be arrested for their swim in the Italian capital’s Fontana dell'Acqua Paola.
Onlookers captured the three women, thought to be in their twenties, seeking refuge from 32 degree heat in the 400-year-old monument.
Onlookers captured the three women, thought to be in their twenties, in 32 degree heat
Italian media slammed the tourists as disrespectful – and one outraged tweeter claimed only English or German tourists would have been audacious enough to pull the stunt.
Trastevere, an online magazine, posted images of the incident on Twitter – prompting hundreds of retweets and a massive response from its incensed followers.
It said of the incident: “It is very hot but the fountain of the Janiculum can not become a pool… tourists Rome deserves more respect!”
Rome's Fontana dell'Acqua Paola
One user said simply: “These women are so rude.”
Another added: “You should go and do something similar in England or Germany.
“I’m going to tomorrow in my boxer shorts and swimming cap.”
It is unclear whether the women received any form of punishment
But there was some positive feedback amid the barrage of criticism.
One tweeter endorsed the women’s actions – claiming they had injected new life into the fountain and had drawn attention to an often-ignored part of Rome’s cityscape.
They said: “These young girls are giving meaning to ancient remains that are generally ignored!”