The Italian government approved a plan to give the Colosseum in Rome a new floor. Archaeologists in the 19th century removed the floor to reveal the network of underground tunnels where gladiators and animals remained before entering the arena.
Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini announced a new wooden floor. This allows visitors to stand where gladiators once fought. However, it should also be possible to see the tunnels. This is why the floor becomes rollable. It is expected to be completed in 2023.
The floor will be designed by Italian engineering firm Milan Ingegneria. They get 18.5 million euros for that. When completed, cultural events will also be hosted in the 2,000-year-old building.
Minister Franceschini said, “It is another step forward towards rebuilding the plaza, which is an ambitious project that will support the preservation of monumental structures while returning to the original image of the Colosseum.”
The design consists of hundreds of wooden panels, covering about 3,000 square meters, that can be turned over so that the walkways can be seen again. The Italian Ministry of Culture says the floor is completely reversible. This way there would be no damage to the building, if something else had to be done with it in the future.
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