Fact Check: Last year, a Saudi man faced charges for damaging cultural heritage on the Spanish Steps!

Fact Check: "Last year, a Saudi man faced charges for damaging cultural heritage on the Spanish Steps!"

What We Know

In May 2022, a 37-year-old Saudi national was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after he drove a rented Maserati down the Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy. The incident was captured on surveillance cameras, which showed the vehicle descending the steps, causing significant damage to the historic structure. Specifically, the car fractured the 16th and 29th steps, leading to a statement from Rome's heritage protection body regarding the damage and the need for restoration work (CNN, Boston Globe).

The Spanish Steps, a prominent landmark in Rome, are known for their historical significance and aesthetic beauty. They underwent a major restoration in 2015, costing approximately €1.5 million (CNN). Following the incident, the authorities temporarily reattached some marble fragments to allow pedestrian access while assessing the full extent of the damage (CNN, New York Daily News).

Analysis

The claim that a Saudi man faced charges for damaging cultural heritage on the Spanish Steps is supported by multiple credible sources, including major news outlets like CNN and the New York Daily News. These sources provide consistent details about the incident, including the identity of the driver, the vehicle involved, and the specific charges he faced. The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards.

Furthermore, the incident highlights the ongoing issues of cultural heritage preservation in urban environments, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Rome. The Spanish Steps are not only a popular tourist attraction but also a site of significant historical value, making any damage to them particularly concerning (New York Daily News, Newser).

While there have been other incidents involving vehicles on the Spanish Steps, such as an 80-year-old man getting stuck in a Mercedes, these do not detract from the veracity of the claim regarding the Saudi man and his Maserati (ABC News, The Guardian).

Conclusion

The claim that a Saudi man faced charges for damaging cultural heritage on the Spanish Steps is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that the individual was charged with aggravated damage after causing physical harm to this historic site.

Fact Check: Last year, a Saudi man faced charges for damaging cultural heritage on the Spanish Steps!