Venice fines tourists: Germans punished for making coffee near bridge

Image source, Comune Venezia

Image caption, The tourists were also fined 鈧950 (拢853)

Police in Venice have fined two German tourists who were caught making coffee on the steps of the Rialto bridge.

The backpackers, aged 32 and 35, were fined a total of 鈧950 (拢853) for preparing coffee on a travel cooker. They were also asked to leave the city.

Venice has introduced a law on a series of public order offences - including picnicking at certain sites and not wearing a shirt in public spaces.

About 30 million tourists visit the city every year.

The tourists from Berlin were spotted making coffee at the foot of the Rialto Bridge - the oldest of the four bridges on the Grand Canal. They were reported to police by a passer-by.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said: "Venice must be respected and those impolite people who come here and do what they want must understand that. Thanks to the local police, they will be sanctioned and removed."

Image source, Comune Venezia

Image caption, The pair, from Germany, were asked to leave Venice

Those found flouting the rules will have their identities shared with the embassy of their home country.

Video caption, A cruise ship crashes into a dock in Venice in June

Venetians have long complained about mass tourism in the city.

Last December, the city won approval to introduce an entry fee of up to 鈧10 for short-stay tourists.