June 29, 2021: The Roman Colosseum has played its role in both modern and ancient arts, most recently serving as the home of Fendi’s Fall 2019 Couture show. To protect the century-old establishment at all costs, the Luxury Italian fashion house Tod’s Group has devoted significant time, energy, and resources to a renovation initiative that began in 2013. Since then, the label enlisted more than 80 people, including archaeologists, restorers, architects, engineers, surveyors, and construction workers dedicated to restoring the landmark.
On June 25, via a press conference in Rome, Tod’s announced the completion of the second phase of the Colosseum renovation. Phase two (which began in 2018) restored a total area of 15,000 square meters to its former glory. The main focus of phase two was the arena’s hypogea, which hasn’t been accessible since the landmark’s last recorded gladiator fight in 523 A.D. This area is specifically where the gladiators awaited their turn before heading into the arena. Now the newly stabilized walls hold passageways for tourists to experience the corridors of the underbelly of the arena.
Returning the Colosseum to its grandeur of the early aughts is not a low-cost feat. The Tod’s Group donated €25 million (equivalent to about $30 million), which in hindsight is a small cost for preserving one of the most coveted historic landmarks in history. And as we all know, the Italians have an exceptional appreciation for their culture and landmarks.
Tod’s group hopes to have a newly functioning welcome center in place within the next two to three years on the exterior of the colosseum walls. Although the events will most likely differentiate from its A.D days, the history buff in me can’t help but imagine seeing the historic stone stands filled with an audience.
Take a look at the video below highlighting the extraordinary and intense restoration process.
