Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAmelia NeathMonday 27 April 2026 12:30 BSTThe 16th-century marble Fountain of Neptune on Piazza della Signoria in Florence (AFP/Getty)A tourist in Florence allegedly damaged the 16th-century Fountain of Neptune, known as the 'Biancone', in Piazza della Signoria.Local police spotted the 28-year-old woman scaling the railings and climbing onto one of the horse's legs in the fountain on Saturday, 18 April.She told police her intention was to touch the statue's private parts as part of a 'pre-wedding challenge'.Specialists later found “minor but significant” damage to the horses' hooves and a frieze, which the woman is thought to have clung to.The tourist has been reported to judicial authorities for defacing an artistic and architectural monument.In fullHistoric Florence fountain damaged by tourist’s ‘pre-wedding challenge’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in