Fed-up locals in a Spanish city popular with Brits have fumed over a video posted on social media showing “disrespectful” tourists who they branded “barbarians.” Fury has erupted among locals in Seville after a video on X shows 12 tourists forming some kind of ‘conga’ line inside a public fountain in Plaza de la Alianza in the Spanish city.
It appears that the group decided to move their party from a nearby bar and into the fountain in the heart of the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. The incident took place on the evening of Sunday, June 22, and was captured on film by a local resident (@jesusvermu) who was fed up with the behaviour. Anti-tourism protests have taken place across many holiday spots in Spain, including in Barcelona, the Canary Islands and Majorca where tourists were reportedly surrounded and jeered by protestors as mass tourism demonstrations swept across popular holiday destinations in Europe.
They posted the video, writing: “And they’ll keep trying to sell us the idea that in Seville we have quality tourism. They’re not tourists; they’re barbarians who have no respect for our city.”
Other users were quick to chime in about the tourists’ actions, with one sharing:”Not all tourists are like this; as everywhere, there are all sorts. But we have good tourism compared to many places I’ve been to.”
Another user saw the light-hearted side of this type of behaviour as “anecdotal or a prank,” but the local who posted the video was quick to bite back. They responded: “I haven’t posted the video of a man in black trousers and a white shirt urinating on the wall of the Alcázar (a BIC monument) because I might get my account suspended.”
The key issue for the resident seemed to be the disruption to a longstanding historical fountain. One user defended the tourists by saying: “We’ve all dipped our feet in a fountain due to the heat. Every tourist has the right to cool off, and that doesn’t determine quality.”
However, the irked resident highlighted the need for it to be this specific area, writing, “One can cool off without compromising a 17th-century fountain.” Other posts from the local highlight that this is not the first time Plaza de la Alianza has experienced lively and disruptive behaviour from tourists and those dining or drinking at the bars and restaurants.
When it comes to the law, it seems it would be on the side of the Seville locals, as the Municipal Ordinance for Promoting and Guaranteeing Citizen Coexistence in Public Spaces in Seville directly mentions the use of public fountains. It states: “It is prohibited to perform any manipulation, alteration or modification in fountain installations or elements that impede their normal functioning…
“As well as pouring soaps or detergents, objects or rubbish into them or using them improperly, blocking their conduits, breaking lighting, bathing, playing games or entering them without municipal authorisation.” Meanwhile, Article 27 of the same regulation claims that the actions listed are considered to be “minor”.
Any of the actions, while disruptive, don’t seem to be a major cause for concern and will result in a fine up to 120 euros. Unless there is “total destruction” of urban furniture elements, in that case the fine is subject to increase up to 750 euros.
