World's Tallest Church Being Eaten Away by Urine, Vomit

The world’s tallest church is being eaten away by urine and vomit, and church officials want local police to get involved.

According to BBC News, the German city of Ulm is begging men to stop peeing and vomiting on the Ulm Minster church, as it’s ruining the historic structure. The salts and acids from the urine are apparently what’s destroying the church tower, BBC reported, citing Germany's Sudwest Presse.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on it for half a year now and, once again, it’s coated with urine and vomit,” said Michael Hilbert, head of the maintenance department for the building, according to BBC. Hilbert told the Sudwest Presse that he’s not the “pee police,” but he wants there to be action taken to stop the problem. “This is about preserving law and order,” he added.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Ulm has even tried to stop the issue by doubling the fines for public urination to 100 euros, but it hasn’t seemed to change things much.

CNN reported that a city spokeswoman told the Sudwest Presse that “as long as there are people,” it’s going to be hard to find a solution that works.

With the holiday season approaching and events like the wine festival and Christmas market, which are scheduled to take place in the church town square, church officials said they’re hoping to see police take more action and would like to see the city provide free public toilets during events held in the church square, CNN noted.

The church tower stretches 530 feet into the sky, and the historic building has been up since 1890, after ground broke on it in 1377, the Chronicle noted.

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