Environmental activists blackened the water of a monumental Roman fountain in Rome's Spanish Steps on Saturday (April 1st) during a demonstration that they said evoked an "end of the world" scenario.

Three activists from the organization Last Generation poured liquid carbon from vegetables into the Barcaccia, a baroque masterpiece of the seventeenth century located at the foot of the stairs of the Trinità dei Monti, before being escorted by the police.

The fountain, shaped like a boat, was designed by the famous Italian sculptor Pietro Bernini.

Making black water "foreshadows the 'end of the world' scenario we are heading towards, as we increasingly rely on the accelerator: drought alternating with devastating floods, which will end life on Earth," Last Generation said in a statement.

A "bad" gesture

"Rome is at the forefront of the fight against climate change and the protection of its artistic heritage. Throwing a black liquid into the Barcaccia and risking damaging it is an absolutely bad gesture that does not help the environment," Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri tweeted.

#Roma è in prima linea nella lotta ai mutamenti climatici e nella tutela del patrimonio artistico. Gettare liquido nero nella #Barcaccia rischiando di rovinarla è un gesto assolutamente sbagliato che non aiuta l'ambiente. Già operativi gli interventi per evitare danni permanenti. pic.twitter.com/W0CnmpylwW

— Roberto Gualtieri (@gualtierieurope) April 1, 2023

Last Generation began organizing peaceful but disruptive protests in Italy last year ahead of the general election, urging politicians from all parties to make climate change their priority.

>> See also: Shock actions and "non-violence"... Diving into the heart of the new green activism in Europe

The protests in Italy are part of a series of actions across Europe to draw attention to climate change.

Activists sprayed soup, mashed potatoes or washable paint at various heritage sites and art objects in museums.

With AFP

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