Most tourists snap a photo or selfie when visiting an iconic landmark or historic site. That said, there are those who take their presence one step further by leaving a permanent scar on a site or landmark.

In late June, a man was officially identified in a video that first went viral in late 2022, in which he was seen scratching “Ivan+Hayley 23” on a brick wall of the 2,000-year-old Roman Colosseum. Unfortunately, this man, from the United Kingdom, isn’t the latest tourist to deface a historic site while traveling.

In Japan, police recently identified a Canadian teen after he carved “Julian” on a pillar at the Toshodaiji Kondo temple complex in Nara. This UNESCO World Heritage site sees thousands of tourists each year and, for this specific teen, his actions were filmed by a Japanese tourist. While police revealed the boy did not intend to harm the Japanese culture, many were still upset with the defacement.

These incidents aren’t limited to international destinations, however. Defaced sites can be found within the United States, too. A rock art panel made by indigenous peoples in Mesa Verde National Park suffered vandalism, while a rock wall in Colorado National Monument endured spray-painted messages.

These incidents lead to the question: Why do tourists continue to deface historic sites?

Some believe those who do so fail to think of the significance or harm to the actual structure or culture. Instead, the defacer might be thinking of leaving his or her “mark” at a sight for the future. Others claim defacers have more sinister intentions, aiming to destroy something out of disrespect.

Regardless of the purpose, laws exist in almost every country to protect the sanctity of historic sites. The man who defaced the Roman Colosseum is now set to go to trial and, if convicted, could face a fine of at least $16,630 or up to five years in prison.

In the United States, vandalism of national parks is a federal misdemeanor. According to the National Park Service, defacing any part of a national park or public land “degrades the experience of other visitors. It is described as an act of cultural violence when perpetrated against such sites as pictograph panels, historic structures, and other places that existed before their designation as park sites.”

The concerning part about such defacement is the number of people who actually get away with it. For the few who are caught, how many get away with defacing historic sites?

There are a few incidents, however, where defacement offers a window in the past. In Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, a tour of his home includes a visit to a room where a great window sits behind a glass panel. Here, visitors can see the original window frame and glass from Shakespeare’s time. The window, however, is riddled with signatures and initials from across the centuries, including notable figures like Walter Scott, Thomas Carlyle and Isaac Watts. In this unique case, such carvings allow us in modern times to see how similar we are to those who lived more than 100 years ago. Perhaps we have always and will always like to leave our mark in places?

Have you visited a historic site or landmark and come across defacement? What are your thoughts on tourists who etch their mark on these sites? What are some other ways you see tourists damaging property or the environment? Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.