A letter of apology has been written by an English tourist who was captured on video carving a note into the Colosseum in Rome.

The tourist, identified as 27-year-old Ivan Danailov Dimitrov, expressed his remorse for defacing the nearly 2,000-year-old landmark and claimed that he was unaware of its ancient significance.

Published in the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero and addressed to Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Dimitrov’s letter conveyed his deep embarrassment and admitted that he only learned about the monument’s antiquity after the regrettable incident took place.

Recognizing the gravity of his actions, he extended heartfelt apologies to the Italians and the entire world for the damage inflicted on a heritage that belongs to all of humanity, USA Today has reported.

The Colosseum, completed by Roman Emperor Titus in 80 A.D., gained fame for its gladiatorial contests, captivating tens of thousands of spectators.

In the video that circulated widely on social media, Dimitrov was seen using a key to carve “Ivan+Haley 23” (his name and his significant other’s name) into an internal wall of the Colosseum.

The footage, titled “(Expletive) tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome,” was originally shared on YouTube and sparked outrage among viewers.

The video also brought the act of vandalism to the attention of the authorities, leading Italian officials to promise to identify and punish the responsible individual.

Dimitrov could potentially face imprisonment and a substantial fine for his actions.

Written by staff