The tourists had been climbing the statue when they broke off a piece of the marble crown on top of the monument.

Two tourists in northern Italy have landed in soup after they broke off a piece of a priceless statue of Hercules, which dates back to 1700, while trying to climb it and take a selfie.

The tourists had been climbing the ‘Statue of the two Hercules’, in Cremona, on Friday night when they broke off a piece of the marble crown on top of the monument.

The two perpetrators have been identified by the police, The Local reported.

Situated under the portico of the 13th century Loggia dei Militi, the monument depicts two statues of Hercules holding a large shield.

It is considered to be a symbol of Cremona itself, which is said to be founded by the mythological hero, according to ‘Corriere della Sera’

Completed in 1700, the statue was originally placed on top of the city gates before being moved to its current location in 1962.

Technicians have since visited the site to assess the damage caused to the statue.