FLORENCE, Italy — In a bold move to reclaim its historic charm from the grip of mass tourism, Florence's city government has issued an ultimatum: all self-service key lockboxes for holiday rentals must disappear by February 25. This crackdown targets the invisible check-in systems that have quietly transformed the Renaissance jewel into what critics call an "open-air hotel."

The ubiquitous metal boxes – favored by platforms like Airbnb for their convenience – allow tourists to bypass human interaction entirely, accessing rented apartments through coded entries. While praised for streamlining arrivals, these unassuming containers have become flashpoints in Florence's growing rebellion against overtourism.

"Starting next week, we're launching inspections citywide," declared Mayor Sara Funaro during a fiery television interview. "Every unauthorized box we find will be removed immediately." Property owners flouting the new rule face stiff penalties up to €400 (S$559) per violation.

The decision strikes at the heart of a heated debate dividing Italy's cultural capitals. As Venice implements tourist taxes and Rome restricts short-term rentals, Florence takes aim at what activists describe as "the machinery of displacement" – technologies enabling uncontrolled vacation rentals that price locals out of their own neighborhoods.

"These boxes are like tumors multiplying on our beautiful buildings," said Massimo Torelli of citizen movement 'Let's Save Florence to Live In It.' His group has been tagging offending devices with red X marks as part of their guerrilla campaign. "We've counted over 15,000 apartments converted into tourist pods while families struggle to find homes."

The ban aligns with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's nationwide mandate requiring in-person guest verification – a policy framed as both security measure and cultural safeguard. Critics argue anonymous check-ins erode community bonds and enable problematic rental practices.

Torelli sees hope in City Hall's action: "If enforcement is serious, we could cut vacation rentals by half within years." The activist envisions returning thousands of dwellings from transient visitors back to permanent residents struggling amid housing shortages.

As sunset paints Brunelleschi's dome gold each evening now comes a new question: Can this living museum balance preservation with progress before losing its soul completely? With locked boxes soon disappearing from ancient doorways perhaps one answer is taking shape - that some keys should never change hands without looking someone in the eye first.