Locals in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities have been left furious after rude tourists destroy their roads for ‘souvenirs’. Bruges in Belgium is visited by millions of people every year, but some try to take a piece of the city home with them.
Tourism brings more than £432 million a year in revenue, but a new trend is now costing the city and taxpayers £276,500 in the last year alone. Known for its cobbled streets, visitors are prying up cobbles in their hundreds. City authorities have had to put up warning signs to inform ignorant tourists that Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement. Franky Demon, the city councillor responsible for roads, said up to 70 cobblestones disappear from the city’s streets every month – this number goes up during the peak season.
He said: “The phenomenon increases significantly, especially during busy tourist periods such as spring and summer. We’ve noticed they’re mainly stolen from tourist attractions, so we suspect it’s mainly tourists who are taking them.
“While some may see this as harmless or quirky, the consequences are serious. The removal of cobblestones poses a clear safety risk to both residents and visitors.
“Missing or loosened stones create tripping hazards, and city workers must frequently be dispatched to carry out repairs. Our workers obviously have other things to do besides replacing the stolen cobblestones.”
Local authorities are now taking measures to prevent theft. The cobblestones, which weigh around 20 lbs each, are being removed, cleaned, and set back into the ground with cement.
Demon said: “We simply ask for respect. Anyone who walks through Bruges steps over centuries of history. Leave those cobblestones where they belong.”
A similar issue exists with the city’s green metal chairs, which the authorities leave out for visitors to the parks and central square. Last year, 350 chairs (around four in 10) were stolen. Authorities also blamed visiting tourists for these thefts.
Bruges is working to cope with overtourism. In 2019, the city reduced the number of cruise ships allowed to dock in the nearby port and ended tourism campaigns in nearby destinations to discourage day-trippers.
With its storybook charm, the Belgian destination is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, featuring on lists by travel experts, bloggers, and tourists.