Man travels to Rome for beautiful ancient sites – but there’s unsightly problem

A tourist was left stunned when he arrived in Rome only to discover that some of the most famous attractions were off-limits.

Lachy McIntyre, known online as @lach_mac, is famous for his situational skits, POV humour, celebrity impressions, and pop culture commentary. The 24-year-old Australian has amassed over 900,000 followers and recently went viral after sharing a glimpse into his recent travels.

He had been excited to explore the Italian capital, hoping to visit iconic sites like the Fountain of Four Rivers in Piazza Navona and the Renaissance fountain in front of the Pantheon. However, his experience was far from the picturesque views he had seen online.

In one video, which has received more than 93,000 likes, Lachy is shown standing outside these landmarks, unable to view them due to scaffolding. He joked in the caption: “I didn’t believe the Cheryl All At Once video but it’s true. So blessed to see the ancient scaffolding of Rome.”

The restoration work is reportedly part of preparations for the 2025 Roman Catholic Holy Year. According to Reuters, the Vatican expects up to 32 million tourists to visit Rome for the Jubilee, prompting the city to undertake a record 3,200 public construction projects.

TikTok users were left in stitches over the clip and took to the comments to poke fun at the hilarious error. One user said: “The pictures around the fountain just to rub it in,” while another added: “That’s why it’s worth googling before you go places.”

A third commented: “I’ve been on vacation in Rome since yesterday, I have the same feeling.” Someone else wrote: “Going to Rome one year before the Jubilee is just crazy. Everything is being repaired and prepared.”

It comes as travellers and residents alike in Rome, Italy, will soon be able to enjoy a new archaeological walk that will link some of the city’s most iconic ancient landmarks.

The ambitious project, known as Nuova Passeggiata Archeologica, is set to cost around €18.8 million (£16 million) and aims to create a “large pedestrian ring” connecting the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Baths of Caracalla, and Circus Maximus.