In Florence, the steps of churches, monuments, and other landmarks will be sprayed with water to discourage tourists, Vector News reports.
Last year, Florence authorities came up with a way to deal with tourists who crowd the steps in good weather. Churches, historical monuments, and nearby sidewalks are littered. Visitors to the city simply relax and often snack on the steps and curbs, leaving piles of trash behind. To prevent this, city authorities have decided to periodically water favorite spots for visitors and residents, especially during lunchtime.
Mayor Dario Nardella stated that last year's experiment proved effective, and it will be repeated this year. Stairs and sidewalks will be watered again to prevent the formation of "campsites" where people eat, drink, and litter, the mayor noted. He also expressed regret that the warm Florentine weather reduces the effectiveness of the watering procedure, as the scorching sun renders the watered steps dry again within 10 minutes.
This peculiar washing of tourists has become especially popular in the area surrounding the Basilica of Santa Croce. Crowds of tourists flock here daily to see Giotto's frescoes and the tombs of Michelangelo, Dante, and Galileo. Afterward, most people take a rest on the steps leading to this popular landmark. Florence's example has also been followed in Capri. It's possible that other Italian cities will adopt this constant washing of steps.
Source: news.turizm.ru