By Baris Seckin
ROME (AA) - Vandals have spray-painted graffiti on the exterior columns of Italy’s historic Vasari Corridor, local media reported Wednesday.
The landmark in Florence, which was designed by Italian architect Giorgio Vasari in 1565, was targeted by unidentified people overnight, Italy24 News reported.
"Dks 1860" was written in black spray-paint on the columns between the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery.
“This morning, we woke up to this shameful act of vandalism on the columns of the Vasari Corridor," Florence Mayor Dario Nardella wrote on social media, adding that an investigation was launched to shed light on the incident and to find the perpetrators.
In a written statement, Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said they will handle the issue with a "zero-tolerance" approach.
Anyone who damages the Vasari Corridor or any other Italian monument means they have damaged the symbols of national identity and they should be punished accordingly, he added.
According to a report by the Italian Rainews24 channel, Italian security forces have identified two suspects involved in the incident.