rome announces plans to rebuild a key element of its ancient colosseum — a ground floor which will enclose and conceal its network of tunnels and cages. ancient romans once gathered in crowds of tens of thousands to watch enslaved prize fighters and wild animals fight to the death. the colosseum was engineered to create the mystical effect that these fighters and creatures emerged by magic. a wooden, sand-covered floor had once hid the labyrinth of secret tunnels, or ‘hypogeum,’ which are today exposed and have been on full view for more than a century. italy has now pledged €10 million (nearly $12 million USD) toward the installation of a new, retractable floor that will revive the arena’s ancient glory.
image by mike swigunski | main image by calvin craig
with funding pledged from the italian government, rome now seeks a design team to rebuild the colosseum arena floor. the undertaking is envisioned to include the trapdoors and the hidden lifts that had once allowed caged animals to leap out and attack gladiators and condemned criminals. heinz-jürgen beste, a researcher at the german archaeological institute in rome, tells smithsonian in 2011: ‘the hypogeum allowed the organizers of the games to create surprises and build suspense. a hunter in the arena wouldn’t know where the next lion would appear, or whether two or three lions might emerge instead of just one.’
image by henry paul
culture minister dario franceschini comments on the colosseum rebuild in a statement quoted by BBC news: ‘[the renovation] will be a major technological intervention that will offer visitors the opportunity to not only see the underground rooms … but also appreciate the beauty of the colosseum while standing in the center of the arena,‘ adding that a new floor would allow the public to fully understand the use and function of the iconic and ancient ruin. the statement added. the ministry said cultural events, such as concerts and theatres, could potentially be held in the colosseum once the floor is installed. proposals to rebuild the colosseum’s floor must be submitted by february 1st, and the project is expected to be completed by 2023.
image by moritz kindler
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Always wanted to go to Rome and see the Colosseum! When we actually got to see it, our tour was rushed! Tour guide gave us 45 minutes! Hardly time to take it in! If you can, tour it by yourselves and not the independent guides. Big, slabs for steps too, so you have to be a bit nimble and wheelchairs are out!
It’s not as huge as you imagine, so it took the shine off a bit! Maybe my expectations were too high? Maybe it was just at because we were rushed?
I think this has got to be the worst idea ever! And actually heartbreaking.This is a beautiful piece of history that should be left alone. I know everyone is money hungry but my God this sickening.
Like most civilizations the Romans were both a product of their times and something new and special all at the same time. Despite all of their huge steps forward and the fact that they and the Greeks were the foundation stones for something new and special in human history It is undeniable that the Romans enslaved, crushed and erased many tribes, ethnicities and language groups. Our culture,(like any other culture really) was built upon murder, rape, theft, cruelty and an a huge amount of ingenuity and genius. It’s the great paradox of human history. The Colosseum is truly a standing monument to that.
They should do something on the outside first, the place is a real eyesore.
As in all projects that propose to tamper with something of historic value, one must ask “what is the role of this building, right now, and is it doing that job to the best of its ability?” Roles change over time, though in this case, the coliseum has always been a place of gathering and entertainment. Then, as always, a tourist destination, but now in a less violent and more humane version than during the time of the gladiators. It still has a performance to give and a story to tell, for the glory of Rome. So we ask ourselves, is the coliseum made to the best of our ability to allow it to function to the best of its ability? This should be be the criteria for ALL changes to historical structures.
Bravo! Well done! Its about time! Folks have been talking about how wonderful that would be for many years. Im so looking forward to seeing this remarkable transformative return to educational yet useful grandeur in my lifetime.. Heres some food for thought.. It would be incredibly dramatic & beneficial for patrons if other talented restoration builders were contracted to rebuild the coliseums unique first of its kind retractable style roof..said “patrons” could have the opportunity to fund the project through tarp weatherscreen roof element image choices..heres another nibble to whet your appetite for a successful transformation of such a monumental national symbol ..why not boost the economy AND revive a dying craft by televising while carefully restoring the looted repurposed facade with white carrara marble as well? There will be sponsors Galore scrapping for crumbs to fund your magnificent venture.. THATS the kind of reality TV the world is waiting for..and so am I!
In my opinion this is an absolute travesty, desecrating one of the wonders of the world simply for tourism money. What’s next, a nose job for the Sphinx? Leave the Colosseum as it is, save minor upkeep
Another pagan profit gain from what the roman empire stole,, Rome should be crushed.
You know what
I never could figure out? Is how a advanced & sophisticated empire, could be so barbaric! This the Rome you boast about !