From Manuel Schwarz

Rome (Italy) - In Rome, it happens time and again that visitors and vacationers do not show the necessary respect for the venerable sites and buildings. One German tourist has now attracted negative attention in a particularly bizarre way.

The 24-year-old drove the base of an ancient column through the Italian capital on an electric rental scooter.

According to the police, the incident took place on Wednesday afternoon in Via Vittorio Veneto near the Villa Borghese park and not far from the world-famous Trevi Fountain.

He had placed the 30 kilogram piece of marble between his legs. Where the piece of column came from is being investigated.

According to an initial assessment by experts, the piece of marble measuring around 40 by 20 centimetres is a "cultural asset of historical and artistic interest".

Following the incident, the German is facing charges of receiving stolen cultural property.