In Rome, efforts to combat graffiti vandalism are gaining momentum through the work of Valerio Tuveri, a 28-year-old artist and restorer known online as Mr Tuvs. Rather than adding to the layers of spray-painted tags common throughout the city, Tuveri dedicates his time to removing graffiti from historic walls and monuments, advocating for the preservation of Rome’s cultural heritage.

Tuveri, employed by his father’s company specializing in cleaning and restoring statues, fountains, and monuments, was initially commissioned by the Rome city council to clean the embankment walls along the Tiber River—a popular, yet heavily marked, canvas for graffiti artists. He reportedly cleared around five miles of wall in preparation for the Vatican’s jubilee last year, when Rome anticipated receiving over 33 million tourists. Since then, he has continued voluntarily, sharing videos of his restoration work on social media platforms to raise awareness about the city's appearance. His recent effort involved three days of unpaid labor to clean a 16th-century church within the city center.

“Rome is the most beautiful city in the world,” Tuveri said, “yet it is also the most vandalized in Europe. Living here every day and seeing this damage is a real shame.” He emphasizes that his mission is not an outright rejection of street art but aims to protect the historic core of Rome from what he describes as degrading and unauthorized graffiti. He supports creative murals in less sensitive areas, particularly in suburban council estates, where additional color can enhance otherwise drab environments.

Tuveri’s stance has met with some opposition, particularly among proponents of graffiti culture. Critics on social media have accused him of “canceling art” and described his efforts as censorship. One local graffiti writer, speaking anonymously, argued that tagging is a fundamental form of self-expression, describing it as “leaving a mark” that has historically been part of human behavior.

Local authorities have responded by increasing enforcement against graffiti vandalism, particularly in neighborhoods such as Trastevere and Garbatella—the latter being the childhood area of Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. Since the beginning of the year, around 50 individuals have been fined for defacing buildings, according to city officials.

Tuveri has called for broader municipal actions to protect Rome’s heritage, urging investment in dedicated cleaning crews, improved lighting in poorly illuminated spaces, expanded surveillance, public education programs in schools, and stricter penalties for offenders. “We live in a city with immense heritage,” he noted. “Damaging it is a shame.” His campaign reflects a growing concern about balancing urban vibrancy with the preservation of Rome’s historical identity.