A young woman was caught on camera engaging in inappropriate behavior with a statue of Bacchus, the Roman god of agriculture, wine and fertility.
The footage which was caught in Florence, Italy, which shows her kissing, dry humping, and grinding against the statue.
The woman’s lewd acts has sparked widespread outrage after going viral on social media.
Italy’s culture ministry and Florence officials have condemned the incident, with the mayor’s office describing the act as one that mimicked sex.
In a statement, Florence City Hall indicated that the tourist had not yet been identified, adding that she was “presumably in a state of inebriation.”
Authorities warned that if the woman is identified, she would face a fine and could be banned from the city for life.
This would be in accordance with a law that prohibits any form of abuse of cultural heritage in the country.
The statue involved in the incident is a replica of the original created in the 16th century by sculptor Giambologna. The original Bacchus, which reflects Hellenistic influences and the works of Michelangelo, is housed in the Bargello Museum in central Florence. The replica, however, is located on a street corner near the iconic Ponte Vecchio bridge.
Bacchus is the Roman god of agriculture, wine and fertility and the statue has a dick – though small.
The incident has reignited discussions on the preservation and respect of cultural heritage sites, with officials emphasizing the importance of protecting such invaluable historical artifacts from vandalism and disrespectful behavior.