Museum chief brands Florence a ‘prostitute’ over tourist numbers

Cecilie Hollberg sparks outrage in remarks about capital city of Tuscan region being ‘crushed by tourism’

Mass tourism has turned Florence into a “prostitute”, one of the city museum’s directors has said, sparking outrage from politicians including Italy’s culture minister.

“Once a city becomes a prostitute, it is difficult for it to become a virgin again,” Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Galleria dell’Accademia, which houses Michelangelo’s statue of David, told reporters on the sidelines of an event.