‘Leave them where they belong’: Bruges implores tourists to stop stealing cobblestones

Tourists person been caught smuggling each kinds of stolen souvenirs location from holidays, from artefacts picked up successful Pompeii to soil from Italy’s celebrated pinkish formation connected nan land of Sardinia.

The Belgian metropolis of Bruges is nan latest unfortunate of keepsake crime, but nan point visitors person taken a fancy to is unexpected.

The metropolis assembly has reported nan theft of dozens of cobblestones from nan metropolis centre, and suspects visitors are nan culprits.

Tourists suspected of pilfering Bruges’ cobblestones

Bruges’ cobblestones are progressively being pilfered from well-known spots successful nan UNESCO-designated historical centre, nationalist spot councillor Franky Demon reported this week.

“At iconic locations specified arsenic Minnewater, Vismarkt, Markt and Gruuthusemuseum, it is estimated that 50 to 70 pieces of cobblestone vanish each month. And that number could beryllium moreover higher,” Demon told press.

“The arena increases significantly, particularly during engaged tourist periods specified arsenic outpouring and summer,” he added.

For this reason, authorities fishy visitors are pocketing nan chromatic arsenic souvenirs.

‘Leave that cobblestone wherever it belongs’

As good arsenic damaging a valuable portion of nan city’s heritage, nan stolen stones person created information issues.

The gaps from removed stones coming travel hazards for pedestrians - and are costly to repair.

“It’s unfortunate that our labor perpetually person to spell retired to hole potholes and loose stones. This causes a batch of further activity and costs: astir 200 euros per quadrate metre of reconstruction,” explained Demon.

The councillor urged visitors to respect nan humanities situation of Bruges.

“We simply inquire for respect. Anyone stepping done Bruges crosses hundreds of years of history. Leave that cobblestone wherever it belongs,” he said.

Bruges’ cobblestones are apparently not nan only sought-after thoroughfare souvenir.

Along nan celebrated Paris-Roubaix cycling route, tourists are known to pilfer parts of nan pavement.

While Rome’s iconic ‘sampietrini’ - cobblestones made of solidified lava - person besides vanished into suitcases complete nan years.