A TOURIST has been slammed by locals for engaging in a “disrespectful” act at an ancient Greek site.
The fuming resident who took a photo shaming the defiler in Naxos, Greece, said the topless holidaymaker “crossed the line”.
FacebookA tourist has been slammed by locals for engaging in a “disrespectful” act at an ancient Greek site[/caption]
GettyThe horror incident reportedly happened at the famous Portara[/caption]
It is a 20-foot-high marble doorway on the history-rich islet of PalatiaGetty
Kiriakos Jr. Boulamatsis posted an image on Facebook of a tourist lifting up an ancient chunk of marble.
The horror incident reportedly happened at the famous Portara – a 20-foot-high marble doorway on the history-rich islet of Palatia.
It is the last part of a temple to Apollo which had been constructed between the 6th and 7th centuries BC but was reportedly abandoned due to political upheaval.
The jaw-dropping pic shows the unidentified, topless defiler lifting up the gargantuan slab of stone.
It appeared to have been taken from the grounds surrounding the landmark – and therefore likely invaluable.
A woman is stood in front of the man holding up her phone as he poses for a pic.
The photo-op caused uproar on social media, with one user dubbing the defilement “disrespectful in every way”.
Meanwhile another fumed: “It feels like people are becoming more stupid year after year.”
And: “Naxos is increasingly becoming a Disneyland and the visitors probably have money, but no respect and decency.”
The concerned resident who posted the act to Facebook, Boulamatsis, felt as if the horror incident showed the lack of protection measures at the site.
It is free to visit but lacks any formal security or ticketing.
The fuming local called on Naxos authorities to station security at the site alongside other measures to ensure the site’s history remains.
Boulamatsis also claimed that had this happened in another country, the defiler would have been “fined and deported”.
He added in his caption: “Wake up before it’s too late.”
Naxos Mayor Dimitris Lianos said the Ministry of Culture was made aware of the incident and has since deployed a guard to the gate.
It remains unclear how long the security will be at the site.
Lianos told protothema.gr: “What the Municipality and the residents of the island want, and we have submitted it to the Ministry of Culture, is for an on-site restoration and promotion of this particular archaeological site.
“That is, for it to be maintained and operated in an organized manner, with a ticket and security, so as to ensure its protection and generate revenue that will be attributed to Culture.”
AlamyThe Portara, one of Naxos most famous landmarks connected to Naxos (Chora) town by a causeway[/caption]