The thing about the world’s archaeological treasures is that they’re awe-inspiring enough without any kind of extra embellishments. And just in case you are tempted to deface ancient history, perhaps the $24,865 fine one tourist will be paying for carving his initial into the wall of Rome’s Colosseum will change your mind.

A Russian visitor to the ancient amphitheater has been hit with a €20,000 fine for carving the letter “K” into a wall outside the building, reports The Guardian.

His act of vandalism might’ve been chalked up to some anonymous visitor, except for the fact that he was allegedly caught in the act by a guard and subsequently arrested by Roman police.

The director of the Colosseum said the high fine should serve as a lesson for others who might want to do damage to “a magnificent and symbolic monument.”

“You cannot write on a historic wall, it’s absolutely forbidden,” she said.

Of the six million annual visitors to the Colosseum, she says only five have been stopped by cops for vandalism this year.

Tourist fined €20,000 for carving initial on Rome’s Colosseum [The Guardian]

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