Venice Close to Implementing New Rule: No Sitting

To control tourist behavior, mayor pushing for ban on sitting, except in designated areas
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 22, 2018 8:40 AM CDT
Venice Close to Implementing New Rule: No Sitting
You can still sit in the gondolas, hopefully.   (Getty Images/alan64)

We hope you're sitting down for this news, especially if you're planning a trip to Venice—because you might not be able to sit down once you get there. That's because Luigi Brugnaro, the city's mayor, wants to start fining folks if they plop themselves down in "undesignated spots," CNN Travel reports. People could be hit with a charge of up to $585 if the ban is made official. Brugnaro rep says it's currently being debated by the City Council; Sky News reports there will be a vote on the proposal in October. The move is part of the #EnjoyRespectVenezia campaign, which is trying to protect Venice against overtourism.

Earlier this year, the city even put in gates at the start of two bridges to keep tourists at bay if too many started to flock in. Protesters dismantled the gates. "Venice is dying," one demonstrator said at the time. "[The mayor] wants Venice to become a city with no inhabitants." The city is notorious for other restrictions it has in place, including no lingering on bridges, no strolling around in bathing suits, no riding bikes, and no feeding the birds, among others, per the Independent. CNN notes visitors are already prohibited, excepted in designated areas, from sitting near a handful of famous landmarks, including St. Mark's Square. (More Venice stories.)

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