The iconic canal city of Venice, long overwhelmed by the pressures of mass tourism, has launched a forceful new offensive against the unruly conduct of some visitors. The city council has approved a stringent new set of regulations, taking direct aim at the antisocial behaviours that have become an increasing blight on the World Heritage site.
The most headline-grabbing measure is a direct prohibition against swimming in Venice's famous canals. This act, often committed for a dare or a social media photo, will now be met with a hefty fine ranging from €450 to a staggering €4000. Authorities have highlighted the severe safety risks, from collisions with water traffic to the unsanitary and polluted state of the waterways.
A Broader Assault on Nuisance Behaviour
But the crackdown extends far beyond illicit swims. The new rules also target what the council terms 'acts of obscenity'. This includes strict bans on public nudity, 'baring breasts', and climbing or leaning out of windows in an unsafe manner. The message is clear: Venice is not a playground for indecent and dangerous stunts.
Other nuisance activities now explicitly forbidden include dragging wheeled suitcases noisily across elevated walkways during antisocial hours, attaching 'love padlocks' to bridges which cause damage, and stopping on bridges for prolonged periods to take photographs, thereby blocking foot traffic for residents and other visitors.
A City Pushed to its Limit
This legislative push is a direct response to a series of high-profile incidents that have embarrassed the city and infuriated its dwindling resident population. Recent viral videos have shown tourists diving off the Rialto Bridge and wading through flooded St. Mark's Square in their underwear, acts which local officials say show a profound disrespect for the city's dignity and cultural significance.
Mayor Luigi Brugnaro's administration is framing the move as essential for the protection of public decorum, safety, and the city's artistic heritage. The fines represent one of the most aggressive attempts by a major European tourist destination to forcefully reclaim control from the worst excesses of tourism and ensure a respectful and sustainable future for the city.
