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| Famous Colosseum in Rome have been opened for the 1st time/ Pixabay |
For the first time in history, the ancient underground tunnels of the famous Colosseum in Rome have been opened for the first time to see visitors.
It was backstage to host gladiatorial shows, simulated naval battles, theatrical performances as well as several other events that went on in the arena. Where there was a whole other world; A labyrinth of secretly underground passageways, rooms and massive cages where gladiators and wild animals waited before heading out to the battle-ready arena. After two and a half years of work on the underground route of amphitheatre, tourists will now be able to go down, walk through corridors on wooden platforms and admire the ancient arches.
The arena continued to be used for competitions well into the 6th century, with the hunting of animals continuing until at least 523 AD. But from 80AD until the final show, it was forbidden for the public to enter below the stage level. Spread over 15,000 square meters, the 2000-year-old colosseum - the largest amphitheatre and the most visited tourist attraction in Italy - opened a small section since 2011 through restoration, giving people a chance to peer down into the underground. In this project was funded by the Italian fashion house Tod's, which has given $30 million in partnership with Rome's Department of Archaeological Heritage. Then, a restoration project that resumed in 2018 has allowed visitors to explore some of the original tunnels, allowing people to learn more about the ancient monument.
Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, said in a statement at the unveiling ceremony that it would allow people to better understand how the Colosseum used to function. And Alfonsina Russo further said that tourists will now be able to walk an accessible 160-metre (525 ft) long walkway in the basement of the landmark, reminiscent of some of the traces of history left over time by the Colosseum's 15 restored corridors. Tod’s Chairman Diego Della Valle explained the rehabilitation of the hypogeum required a team of more than 80 archaeologists, architects and engineers. The opening of the underground section has become a symbol of the restoration project by Tod’s.
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| Colosseum's secret network of tunnels © Ben Lee / Unsplash |
The underground area of the Colosseum has been opened to tourists a few days ago on June 26, 2021 and can be easily accessed through Colosseum ticket. The restoration of the hypogeum marks the second phase of the three-phase project that began eight years ago. The first phase included cleaning of the facade of the Colosseum, and the final part will restore the galleries as well as install the lighting, including introducing a new visitor centre by 2024.
Subsequently, the wooden, sand-covered floors were removed during the excavation of the underground levels in a project to restore the floor of the Colosseum to its former glory. But the new, high-tech ones are covered with stainless steel and wood that will be retractable. It will be able to quickly cover or uncover the newly opened underground network, thereby protected them from rain or aired out them in due course. Italy is planning to host the Rome G20 Culture Summit at the Colosseum in July and may become a venue for other major cultural events.
Last month, Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini elaborated about a project to build a small platform inside the area. Apart from this, people will also have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the Colosseum by standing in the center of the arena. The Colosseum was the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire. Before the Covid 19 pandemic, the memorial had recorded nearly 7.6 million people in 2019.
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