Water of Rome's historic fountain turns red

The waters of Rome's Trevi Fountain turned red on Thursday, after a man poured dye in the waters of the iconic water feature, for the second time in seven years.

According to local media reports, the culprit was stopped by a traffic warden and taken into custody.

On October 19, 2007, vandalism artist, Graziano Cecchini had claimed responsibility for a similar act that turned the waters of Trevi Fountain red.

The act was partially a protest against the cost of the Rome film festival, with red waters symbolising the red carpet.

Cecchini reasoned that a natural dye was used that wouldn't harm either the public or the 18th-century marble fountain.

 

This year's edition of Rome Film Festival opened on the same day, suggesting the stunt is a re-run.