When in Rome, you want to do as the Romans do – and that means being respectful of the city’s historical artefacts as well as its local customs. This is a lesson Emily in Paris has seemingly failed to grasp, with a recent scene showing the protagonist of the Netflix hit making a blunder that’s all too common among tourists.
At the end of the most recent season, Emily leaves the French capital in favor of Rome, and we later get a brief glimpse of the American marketing executive relaxing on the Spanish Steps with a new Italian love interest. This landmark, comprised of 135 stairs, leads from the Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church, and dates back to the early 1700s. Numerous references to the Spanish Steps in books, film, and television – from F Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night to Roman Holiday featuring Audrey Hepburn and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), starring Matt Damon in the title role – have added to their iconic status. The location is even home to the apartment where poet John Keats spent his final days.
So much history is bound to attract tourism, but as locals have found out over the years, this isn’t necessarily a good thing. As a result of the high number of visitors here, the steps have had to be restored numerous times, and in 2019 the city’s administration were forced to tighten rules preventing them from being damaged. Despite an existing ban on loitering and eating on the Spanish Steps, Mayor Virginia Raggi introduced regulations to ensure stricter enforcement and ‘guarantee decorum, security and legality.’ These days, officials watch out for tourists behaving badly, issuing €250 (£208) fines to anyone sitting down and up to €400 (£333) for dirtying or damaging the stairs – including eating on them or pushing a pram up or down them.
Emily, played by Lily Collins, seemed to avoid the penalty, but the rest of us are unlikely to be so lucky. Speaking to Euronews, Rome tour guide of 15 years Dino Margiotta commented: ‘”Rome is not like any other city. It’s a big museum, a living room that shall be crossed on one’s toes.” This is how Alberto Sordi, one of the most famous Italian actors, described Rome. ‘I believe that when visiting any city, one should respect the place and avoid engaging in behaviours that might disturb the residents.’ The expert explained that littering is a major problem among visitors, and some even drop rubbish around the likes of the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum. He also highlighted that those travelling to Rome should be mindful of dress codes in certain religious sites, and never engage in vandalism (a tip that should be a given, but unfortunately isn’t).
In reference to the Colosseum, Dino said: ‘Sadly, this iconic monument is frequently graffitied and defaced by visitors eager to leave a “memory” of their trip.’ You certainly won’t forget if you’re caught, as vandals here now face a €15,000 (£12,494) fine and up to five years in prison. Seriously not the memory you want, so just take a picture.
So, before you head to Rome, remember that while the city welcomes visitors with open arms, it also expects respect for its history and culture. Take a moment to understand the rules, appreciate the beauty, and leave a positive mark on your visit, not a stain. After all, a mindful tourist is a welcomed guest.
