① Italian Landmark
The Colosseum, located in Rome, Italy, is a theater completed in 80 AD. The original name of the Colosseum is the ‘Flavian Amphitheater.’
The four-story Colosseum, built with limestone, travertine, and concrete, can accommodate over 50,000 spectators. It was built over about 80 years, from Emperor Vespasian to his son, Emperor Titus, employing tens of thousands of people. The Colosseum was used as a battle arena where gladiators enjoyed fighting each other. Gladiator games have not been held for over 1,500 years since the Western Roman Emperor Honorius banned them.
Despite several earthquakes over the past 2,000 years, it is highly rated for maintaining its original circular shape. The Colosseum has established itself as a representative landmark that global travelers visit in Italy. It is a tourist destination in Italy that attracts 7 million visitors annually.
② The underground space opened to the public
In 2021, local media in Italy reported that the underground space of the Colosseum was being fully opened to the public for the first time. The underground space is a labyrinth of gladiator waiting rooms, beast cages, and corridors, covering an area of about 161,458 square feet. This area was used from 80 AD, when the Colosseum was first built, until 523 AD, but was subsequently abandoned.
The underground space of the Colosseum is called ‘Hypogeum.’ When the arena became a tourist attraction in Italy, the Hypogeum was closed. The Hypogeum was where gladiators and animals waited before starting a battle. It was also a place to store items needed for the show.
When the Colosseum was used as an arena, the area above the underground space was used as a stage made of wood. Over time, the wooden stage began to deteriorate. As the stage floor was destroyed, the Hypogeum was exposed.
The underground space was buried underground for a long time before it was revealed through excavation work in the 19th century. Initially, It was not open to the public, but it was first opened in 2010. At that time, the condition of the underground space was excellent compared to other buildings exposed to tourists and natural disasters. It was significant because it was opened to the public for the first time since it was closed in the 1970s.
Tourists were allowed to see the underground space, but the Italian Ministry of Culture announced that it would fully open the Hypogeum to the public after restoration. It was closed again as restoration work began in 2018. Since 2021, the underground space has become a place where the public can visit.
③ Restoration work in progress since 2013
The underground space was first opened to reporters before being opened to the public. Tourists can walk around the Hypogeum and view the area. The Italian Ministry of Culture has installed a wooden deck in the underground space to facilitate walking for tourists.
The underground space attracted the attention of tourists with its grand scale and splendid interior. After a restoration process of 2 years and 6 months, the Colosseum in Italy was opened to the public for the first time, including a corridor of 525 feet in length across all sections.
Eighty-one experts, including archaeologists and engineers, were involved in restoring the Colosseum’s underground space. Based on a fund of about $29 million provided by Tod’s, a famous Italian fashion company, a large-scale restoration work has been underway since 2013. The restoration of the Colosseum began with the first phase of exterior maintenance work. The restoration of the underground space corresponds to the second phase.
The third phase of the restoration work consists of building an art museum and improving lighting facilities. It is expected to be completed by 2024. Alfonsina Russo, the person in charge of managing the Colosseum, said, “The monument within the monument meets the public again,” and “This place will help people better understand how the Colosseum functioned.”
In addition, restoration work is underway to revive the gladiator battle stage by laying wooden boards on the floor of the Colosseum. In the 19th century, archaeologists dug up the floor and exposed the underground floor. In this work, the floor will be rebuilt by connecting hundreds of wooden boards without touching the existing structure as much as possible. The wooden boards are made to fold one by one so they can be restored later as they are now. The work is being carried out so that there is no disruption to the ventilation or lighting of the basement. Once the reconstruction is complete, some tourists can stand directly in the arena, and various cultural events will be held.
By. Kim Minjae (minjaaie33@mememedia.co.kr)
Most Commented