Italian historic structure marred by parkour-practicing sightseers
A group of parkour enthusiasts, known as Team Phat, made a trip to the historical Italian city of Matera, engaging in their acrobatic feats across its old streets and structures.
During their exploits, one of the team members caused a piece of an old building to collapse, resulting in him and the building part landing on the ground below.
Matera, a city built of stone that dates back to the Stone Age, is situated in the Basilicata region in Southern Italy. With a rich history, it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1993 and served as the European Capital of Culture in 2019.
A video displaying parkour stunts in the ancient city was shared by Team Phat on YouTube two months ago, accompanied by a caption mentioning that team member Devon McIntosh "had a close call, potentially disastrous fall."
The video portrays McIntosh leaping off a building, trying to use a stone ledge for support to reach a building on the opposite side of the street. However, the ledge couldn't withstand his weight and fell apart dramatically.
Another team member suggests hiding the damage, and McIntosh reveals his leg injury in the video.
The video has elicited a flurry of negative comments on social media. One user named Bruno Burke commented on Instagram: "This city is a UNESCO heritage site for a reason. We should savor our parkour passion as much as possible, but we must also be aware of our surroundings, considering not only our safety but also cultural and historical respect."
Problems with Tourists
Many districts and caves in Matera underwent renovation in the latter half of the 20th century, as the city revived its allure and became a popular spot for Instagram-worthy photos.
It's no surprise that international cinema occasionally visits too – the James Bond film "No Time to Die" includes an exhilarating car chase through Matera's streets.
The well-preserved old cave churches, fortified farmhouses, and districts make Matera a city of global significance, according to UNESCO.
CNN has reached out to Matera's police department for comment on the parkour incident.
The actions of Team Phat raise concerns about the behavior of tourists at sites of historical significance. Before the video began, one of the Team Phat members mentioned, "As some of you know, we've been banned from Venice and can never return."
In March 2023, a Team Phat member "took a dive" into a canal in Venice, resulting in Venice's Mayor Luigi Brugnaro commenting: "This individual deserves an IDIOT CERTIFICATE.... We're trying to locate him and his companion to condemn them and their foolish video on social media."
In April 2025, entry fee tickets were introduced in Venice. Brugnaro stated, "Venice is the first city to initiate this process, which may serve as a model for other vulnerable cities that need protection."
In March, a historic district in Kyoto, Japan, banned tourists from entry due to local frustrations over tourists' inappropriate behavior and disregard for Japanese customs and etiquette.
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Despite the concerns raised by Bruno Burke and the negative feedback on social media, Team Phat continues to plan their next travel destination.
The incident in Matera highlights the need for tourists to respect historical sites, inspiring a broader conversation about responsible travel behavior.
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