Tourists face €250 fines for sitting on Spanish Steps in Rome

Police patrol 18th-century marble steps, blowing whistles at visitors sitting down

The authorities in Rome have been accused of applying "fascist-style" measures after police began shooing resting tourists away from the staircase of the famous Spanish Steps.

Police began patrolling the 18th-century marble steps on Tuesday, blowing whistles at those sitting down. The monument, a Unesco world heritage site, has long been the ideal resting spot for tired visitors and holds a special allure at sunset.