This is an unusual tale that suggests not everyone lives by the mantra “take only photographs, leave only footprints”.
Over the years, tourists have been caught attempting to smuggle home all manner of illicit souvenirs, from ancient artefacts lifted from Pompeii to handfuls of sand taken from Italy’s famous pink beach on the island of Sardinia.
Now, the Belgian city of Bruges has become the latest victim of holiday keepsake crime – and the item visitors have set their sights on is a surprising one.
City officials have reported the disappearance of dozens of cobblestones from Bruges’ historic centre, with tourists suspected of being responsible, reports euronews.com.
According to public property councillor Franky Demon, stones are regularly being removed from well-known locations within the UNESCO-listed area, including Minnewater, Vismarkt, the Markt and the Gruuthusemuseum.
“At these iconic sites, an estimated 50 to 70 cobblestones vanish every month, and the true figure may be even higher,” Demon told the press. He added that the problem worsens significantly during peak tourist seasons such as spring and summer.
Authorities believe visitors are pocketing the stones as souvenirs, unaware of the damage caused. Beyond harming an important part of the city’s heritage, the missing stones pose safety risks, leaving gaps that can cause pedestrians to trip.
Repairing the damage is also expensive. “Our teams are constantly sent out to fix loose stones and potholes,” Demon said, noting that repairs cost around €200 ($336) per square metre.