This Italian region now has Europe’s highest Tibetan bridge
It’s not for the faint-hearted
The term 'beachwear' indicates where it should be worn, after all
The coastal commune of Sorrento, in Italy, has become the latest to issue an ordinance that bans the wearing of beachwear, such as bikini, on its streets. The dress code also extends to those people walking shirtless (or topless presumably) with the idea to draw clearly defined lines between beach and town.
Sorrento is located on the Bay of Naples and its historic architecture and picturesque location make it a drawing magnet for throngs of tourists every summer. In fact, in 2019, the town welcomed about three million visitors, and now that tourism is experiencing a resurgence we can expect that this trend will keep.
Local police will be tasked with enforcing the new ‘anti-bikini’ ordinance, as it has become known, with fines of up to 500 euros for those flouting the rules.
The mayor of Sorrento, Massimo Coppola, quoted by TGCOM24, defended the passing of the restrictive measure: “We found that the persistence of such a situation, as well as constituting an element of discomfort for the resident population and for visiting tourists, could constitute a negative evaluation of the qualitative level of good living in our Municipality, with consequent repercussions on the image and on the tourist offer.”
In other words, the mayor has observed that local residents require that a certain level of decorum be kept in public spaces.
Sorrento is not the first Italian, nor European, beach municipality to put words to action and to reign in the libertine spirit of tourists who feel like taking the beach vibes to the streets.
Barcelona instituted ‘anti-beachwear’ ban back in 2011. As for Italy itself, Lipari, the largest of Sicily’s Aeolian Islands, introduced a similar rule back in 2013, after residents kicked up a fuss about tourists wearing skimpy swimwear in the city centre. Tropea, in Calabria, followed suit in 2019, also prohibiting walking barefoot in the town centre.
What are the reasons for that and are there any possible solutions for that problem?
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
It’s not for the faint-hearted
Presenting the next chapter in the Dutch capital’s ‘Stay Away’ campaign aimed at rowdy tourists
The City says this has become a necessity due to the increasing number of incidents involving these vehicles
That way you can notify a canal lock keeper to open the gates so the animals can swim through
The organizers had been considering different Parisian spots, but always with the idea of the flame being visible to the people
Electricity production in that Eastern European country will not release direct CO2 emissions anymore
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
This initiative is not just about making books more accessible – it has larger ambitions in its sights
We owe the unusual cultural icon to this country in Europe
The country’s capital has been a pioneer in crafting policy and initiatives to improve coexistence between people and pets
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team