Please don't pee on the palace: Dutch govt

Please don't pee on the palace: Dutch govt
By admin


If you're caught short on Amsterdam's historic Dam Square, the Dutch government has a message for you: don't pee on the palace.

The Dutch royal family uses the stately Royal Palace in downtown Amsterdam as a working palace, not a residence. But the building's dark arches provide a favoured spot for urination, often at night, out of sight of patrolling police.

After a multimillion-euro renovation in late 2011, people began urinating against the palace's sandstone facade. That prompted authorities to put up a fence.

But the Interior Ministry has called the barrier "unworthy" of the historic location. It is now installing lights and movement sensors to deter people from relieving themselves.

The government has also warned that peeing in public is punishable by a 140 euro ($A210) fine.

If those measures don't work, authorities are considering a urinal near the palace that rises out of the ground at night and sinks back below the footpath during the day.

Other possible moves include a raised set of steps featuring a "pop-up" fence or fine mesh screens to block access to the arches after dark.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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