Dutch to public: Don’t pee on the royal palace

AMSTERDAM – 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 stately Royal Palace in downtown Amsterdam is not just a working palace for the Dutch royal family; its dark, sheltered arches are also a favored spot for public urination.

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

But the Interior Ministry on Wednesday called the fence “unworthy” of the historic location. It is now installing lights and movement sensors to deter people from relieving themselves. The government also is warning that peeing in public is punishable by a 140-euro ($175) fine.

This story was originally published November 5, 2014 at 9:28 AM with the headline "Dutch to public: Don’t pee on the royal palace."