This is the moment German football thugs are caught on camera as they cover a historic landmark in black spray paint.
The mindless attack on Florence‘s iconic Vasari Corridor has infuriated locals in the world capital of culture.
The corridor connects the city’s treasured Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace and was originally built for the powerful Medici family.
Two German tourists have been seized by police after they apparently sprayed “DKS 1860” on the 460-year-old columns.
The daub – report local media – is understood to be a reference to Germany’s division-three side 1860 Munich.
Carabinieri tracked down the vandals after studying CCTV footage showing them scaling a wall by the Renaissance walkway on 22nd August.
The pair were found at a holiday apartment, where they were staying with nine other tourists from Germany.
They were arrested and police seized cans of black spray paint and clothes believed to have been worn by the men on the night.
Florence mayor Dario Nardella took to social media on 23rd August to write: “This morning, we woke up to this shameful vandalistic act on the columns of the Vasari Corridor.
“We have immediately initiated an investigation with the municipal police and contacted the Carabinieri.
“We will use all available cameras and tools to identify these despicable individuals and punish them appropriately.
“We have informed the Superintendent’s Office and spoken with the Uffizi Gallery management, whom we thank for assuring us that they will promptly intervene for the removal and cleaning.
“Alia [law enforcement agency] is mobilised to conduct all necessary assessments and potential interventions. Anyone who damages cultural heritage commits a very serious offence.”
Uffizi director Eike Schmidt has also issued a statement saying: “I unequivocally condemn the defacement of the pillars of the Vasari Corridor that occurred last night.
“Since the discovery of this detestable act at dawn, the Carabinieri have been analyzing video recordings and following various related leads.
“Clearly, this is not the whim of a drunk but a premeditated act, and I remind you that in cases like this, the United States provides for up to five years of imprisonment.
“Enough with symbolic punishments and fanciful excuses! Here, the strong fist of the law is needed!”
The Vasari Corridor connects the Uffizi art museum – Italy’s third-most visited attraction – with the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens.
It was originally built for the Grand Duke of Florence, Cosimo I de’ Medici, so he could travel between his home in the Pitti Palace and the government buildings in the Palazzo Vecchio without meeting riff-raff.
