Rome bans centurions, pub crawls and drinking after 2am
Rome is introducing a new set of rules to curb bad behaviour in the Italian capital.
The Code of Civil Coexistence was announced by the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, on 14 November.
She said the rules, approved by the council, will “make the city more beautiful, safe and welcoming”.
Alcohol consumption, bathing in fountains, Centurions and graffiti are all affected by the code, which will come into force in 14 areas of Rome, including the historical centre, Ostia, San Lorenzo and Prati.
The new rules will give local police new means of intervention and sanctions to apply to offenders, including banning them from certain areas of the city for 48 hours.
While the tradition of throwing coins into the Trevi fountain is upheld, taking a bath in one of Rome’s historic fountains or using them “improperly” – throwing in objects, spilling liquids or substances, dunking animals, or climbing on them – is strictly forbidden.
Fountains covered by the ban include Fontana di Trevi, the Fontana dei Leoni in Piazza del Popolo, the Barcaccia in Piazza di Spagna and the ‘Fontanone’ del Gianicolo.
There’s a big push to control alcohol sale and consumption too, with a whole new raft of rules concerning when and where you can buy and drink booze. Organised pub crawls and “alcohol tours” that are centred around drinking at breweries, pubs and wine bars are banned.
It’s prohibited to buy alcohol from a shop or drink in public from 10pm to 7am, and even clubs have to stop serving alcohol after 2am.
The “Centurions” – people who dress up as ancient Roman soldiers found around tourist attractions in Rome – have long been a thorn in the authorities’ side. The new code stipulates they are now forbidden from receiving money for posing for photos or indeed any other activity.
Ticket touts who often overcharge tourists for tours and attractions, promising them the chance to skip the queue, are also banned from selling or promoting tours, museums, theatre performances or any other activities that are not expressly authorised.
Rummaging through bins, graffitiing the Unesco World Heritage-protected part of the city, flyering, stickering and dropping cigarette butts on the floor are all banned too, while those with dogs must carry bags with them and clear up after their pets.
The measures are going before the Capitoline Assembly for final approval before being implemented. Raggi has stated that she aims to up law enforcement from 6,000 people to 8,000 to help enforce the new rules and “equip the local police with the forces it needs to guarantee the city’s security and decorum.”
It comes as Raggi is rename streets in Rome that honour infamous fascists.
