Selfies Cost Millions: Tourists Become a Threat to World Monuments

The pursuit of the perfect selfie and shareable travel moments has escalated into a genuine threat to global heritage sites, museums, and archaeological wonders. Visitors' eagerness to document their experiences often leads to unintended, yet significant, damage.

A recent incident in Milan's renowned Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II highlights this growing problem. The famous mosaic of a bull, a popular spot where tourists traditionally spin on its testicles for good luck, has suffered extensive wear. This daily ritual has created a "crater" in the mosaic, forcing authorities to undertake repairs on the iconic 19th-century landmark.

This is not an isolated case. The past few years have seen a disturbing rise in incidents where tourists cause damage to artworks and historical monuments, frequently while attempting to capture a striking photograph. In 2017, a visitor in Los Angeles caused a domino effect that toppled pedestals and damaged sculptures worth an estimated $200,000 at "The 14th Factory" art exhibition while trying to take a selfie.

Further examples include damage to Mark Rothko's painting "Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8" in 2025, where a child reportedly caused visible scratches. In the same year, at Palazzo Maffei, a tourist sat on Nicola Bolla's crystal "Van Gogh Chair," breaking the fragile artwork before leaving without reporting the incident. These events, often captured by security cameras, underscore the escalating challenge of balancing tourism with heritage preservation.