For sitting on the steps of a revered 16th-century fountain, an American visitor 55 years old was fined $450 in Rome, Italy.

The tourist, who was vacationing in Italy’s Monti district, was fined for breaking one of Rome’s ‘urban decorum’ rules.

The man, whose name was not revealed, was enjoying a delicious gelato and drinking a cold one when he was approached by Italian police on Saturday around 1 am before the ticket fiasco took place.

The historic landmark located in Rome’s Piazza Madonna is modest and unassuming and dates back to 1859.

Thousands of tourists flock to the historic site each year, to help deter visitors from leaning on the stairs protective tape has been place at the site.

The popular gathering place was meant to be been cordoned off with tape, but was not when the man sat down to enjoy a midnight snack, he said.

The fountain was taped off as part of a slew of new rules introduced by former mayor Virginia Raggi in 2017. The tape was meant to discourage people from eating and drinking while sitting at Rome’s fountains.

Previous rules also banned things like wheeled suitcases and buggies in order to protect the historical streets and landmarks, such as the city’s fountains. More than 1,500 fountains can be found throughout the capital city.

According to the local La Repubblica, when Italian officials first approached the man and asked him to move away he did not. The tourist claimed he did not understand what the officers were saying.

But, once the visitor was hit with the massive fine, he apparently understood loud and clear and didn’t appear very pleased.

‘I didn’t know the rules; I didn’t know I couldn’t sit down. I didn’t understand what you were saying to me,’ the tourist said, according to the news outlet.

The fountain was taped off as part of a slew of new rules introduced by former mayor Virginia Raggi in 2017. The tape was meant to discourage people from eating and drinking while sitting at Rome’s fountains.