California tourist fined for driving rental car over historic Italian bridge

FLORENCE, Italy – An American tourist cruising the streets of Florence, Italy, was fined last week for taking a wrong turn across the famous historic Ponte Vecchio bridge.

An unnamed 34-year-old California man drove a Fiat Panda rental car into the historic site on January 26, according to a statement from the city of Florence.

City officials said the driver told police he was looking for a parking space and didn’t know he was on Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge near Palazzo Pitti in Florence.

The centuries-old bridge was first built in the Middle Ages in 1218 and completed in 1345. The 98-foot landmark with masonry from that era crosses the narrowest part of the Arno river and connects the Pitti Palace with the Place de la République. Many shops and boutiques have also been built into the bridge.

In addition to the pedestrian fine, the US tourist was also driving without an International Driving Permit, resulting in a fine of just under 500 euros (approximately $542).

Last May, a tourist visiting Rome, Italy, told authorities he took a wrong turn and drove his car up the historic Spanish Steps, damaging it.

Surveillance video captured the moments when the Maserati SUV drove right onto the stairs, and it could be seen pushing down the stairs.

CONNECTED: Video: Historic Spanish Steps in Rome damaged after driver incorrectly turned down stairs

Italian police were able to determine that the car was a rental car and were able to identify the driver as a 37-year-old man from Saudi Arabia. The driver was detained after he left the rented car at Milan’s Malpensa airport.

This story was reported from Los Angeles.