A TOURIST has been slammed by locals for engaging in a “disrespectful” act at an ancient Greek site.
The fuming resident who took a photo shaming the defiler in Naxos, Greece, said the topless holidaymaker “crossed the line”.
Kiriakos Jr. Boulamatsis posted an image on Facebook of a tourist lifting up an ancient chunk of marble.
The horror incident reportedly happened at the famous Portara – a 20-foot-high marble doorway on the history-rich islet of Palatia.
The structure is the final section of a temple dedicated to Apollo, constructed between the 6th and 7th centuries BC, but it was reportedly left deserted due to political turmoil.
The jaw-dropping pic shows the unidentified, topless defiler lifting up the gargantuan slab of stone.
It appeared to have been taken from the grounds surrounding the landmark – and therefore likely invaluable.
A woman is stood in front of the man holding up her phone as he poses for a pic.
The photo-op caused uproar on social media, with one user dubbing the defilement “disrespectful in every way”.
Meanwhile another fumed: “It feels like people are becoming more stupid year after year.”
And: “Naxos is increasingly becoming a Disneyland and the visitors probably have money, but no respect and decency.”
Boulamatsis, a concerned local who shared the incident on Facebook, believed that the disturbing event highlighted insufficient protective measures at the location.
It is free to visit but lacks any formal security or ticketing.
The fuming local called on Naxos authorities to station security at the site alongside other measures to ensure the site’s history remains.
Boulamatsis also claimed that had this happened in another country, the defiler would have been “fined and deported”.
He added in his caption: “Wake up before it’s too late.”
Naxos Mayor Dimitris Lianos said the Ministry of Culture was made aware of the incident and has since deployed a guard to the gate.
It remains unclear how long the security will be at the site.
Lianos informed protothema.gr: “Both the Municipality and the island’s residents, as we have formally requested from the Ministry of Culture, desire an on-site restoration and enhancement of this specific archaeological site.
“This means it should be preserved and managed systematically, with entry fees and security, to guarantee its safeguarding and to generate income for the benefit of Culture.”
