Tod’s founder helps restore Colusseum
Diego Della Valle, the founder of Italian luxury leathergoods firm Tod’s, has offered to sponsor the restoration project of the ancient Colosseum in Rome.
Mr Della Valle will pay $34 million to clean and restore the world-famous structure which has been blackened by pollution and rocked by vibrations of a nearby subway line.
“A monument that represents Italy in the world must be restored, and a company that represents ‘Made in Italy’ stepped forward to say, ‘If you need us, we are here,’” Mr Della Valle told a press conference.
He also said that he expected other entrepreneurs to help out as the project gets under way. The project is to begin after contract bids are closed at the end of 2011 and will run for the next two and a half years. The monument will be open to tourists during the restoration.
“It is the end of a nightmare,” said Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno.
As Italy faces monetary problems to maintain, protect and clean its artistic and archaeological heritage, the private sector sometimes helps the government by offering high-profile restorations.
The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the Italian capital and the largest ever built in the Roman Empire.
Originally called Amphitheatrum Flavium, during its heyday the building could seat 50,000 spectators, who gathered to watch gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. The building was later reused for various purposes including housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
