A European city with a preserved historic center is facing an unusual problem. Every month, dozens of sidewalk stones disappear, taken by tourists who consider them memories.
The apparently harmless gesture has caused material damage and poses a risk to the safety of those who circulate in pedestrian areas.
World
The city in question is Bruges, in Belgium, whose center was classified as a world heritage by UNESCO in 2000. According to NIT, between 50 and 70 stones are removed monthly from the stoned streets, affecting the aesthetics of the place and originating dangerous situations, especially for elderly or inattentive tourists.
Municipal services are often called to intervene, with each square meter of sidewalk replaced to cost about 200 euros.
Risk historical inheritance
The disappearance of the stones directly affects the preservation of an urban layout with centuries of history.
Authorities, according to the same source, have manifested concern, stressing that this type of behavior calls into question the collective memory of the city.
Franky Demon, municipal counselor, asked for respect for the historical elements: “Walking through these streets is to cross centuries of history,” he said.
In one of the most caricatured cases, a visitor removed a stone and, in his place, left a branch of flower. For the municipality, far from romantic, the gesture was interpreted as a sign of disrespect.
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Measures against the impact of tourism
With the growth of tourism, as the same source refers, the problem intensified. Bruges is one of the most visited European cities and, to try to balance the effects of this influx, a tourist rate of two euros per night was created for all visitors over twelve years old locally housed.
In addition, from January 2027, tourists who visit the city only during the day will pay an additional four euros fee, mainly applied to organized groups that arrive by bus or cruises.
The objective is to compensate for the costs associated with maintenance and reinforce inspection teams.
Preserve depends on everyone
Awareness campaigns have been launched by the City Council to inform tourists about the patrimonial importance of the sidewalk stones.
Posters, leaflets and messages at the most visited points remember that these elements are not souvenirs, but an integral part of the city’s living history.
“We are not against tourists, we just ask for respect,” said Franky Demon.
According to, the municipality appeals to the common sense of those who visit Bruges, remembering that preserving the heritage goes beyond institutional measures: it begins with the individual gestures of those who pass there.
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