When tourists say they would like to take a piece of their favorite place home with them, sometimes they mean it literally. The picturesque Belgian city of Bruges has made an appeal to tourists not to steal cobblestones from its UNESCO-recognized medieval streets.
Local politician Franky Demon says that approximately 50-70 cobblestones disappear each month – even more during peak season – and replacing them and repairing the damage costs 200 euros (approximately 225 dollars) per square meter.
"We simply ask for respect"
"Although some may consider this gesture harmless or quirky, the consequences are serious," Demon told CNN.
"Removing cobblestones poses an obvious risk to the safety of residents and visitors. Missing or loosened stones create a tripping hazard, and municipal employees frequently have to intervene to make repairs," he explained.
Demon said that one of the "authors" of such a gesture even had the patience to replace a missing stone with a planted flower. "A whimsical gesture, but one that underscores the lack of respect for our common heritage," he said.
"We simply ask for respect. Walking through Bruges means stepping through centuries of history. These stones are not just pieces of rock, they are part of the soul of our city. We urge visitors to enjoy Bruges, but to leave its beauty intact for others," Demon stated.
A city suffocated by tourists
Like Venice, Barcelona, and other historic European cities, Bruges is struggling to cope with excessive tourism.
In 2019, the city voted to reduce the number of cruise ships that can dock at the nearby port of Zeebrugge and put an end to tourism promotion campaigns in nearby destinations like Paris to discourage day-trippers.
Visitors to Bruges looking for a holiday souvenir might consider a box of Belgian chocolates, CNN mentions.