You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
Daily (Mon-Sun)
Daily Digest
Sign up for global news and reviews, a Wallpaper* take on architecture, design, art & culture, fashion & beauty, travel, tech, watches & jewellery and more.
Monthly, coming soon
The Rundown
A design-minded take on the world of style from Wallpaper* fashion features editor Jack Moss, from global runway shows to insider news and emerging trends.
Monthly, coming soon
The Design File
A closer look at the people and places shaping design, from inspiring interiors to exceptional products, in an expert edit by Wallpaper* global design director Hugo Macdonald.
Italian fashion brand Tod's and Rome's Archaeological Heritage Department have undertaken a colossal restoration project to return the Colosseum to its former glory. Watch how the fashion brand celebrated the unveiling, with a special performance conducted by legendary orchestra director Zubin Mehta
Rome's Colosseum has long been a ruin. A masterful ruin, imposing in stature and significance, but a crumbling one at that. Enter Italian fashion brand Tod's, which, together with Rome's Archaeological Heritage Department, has undertaken a colossal restoration project to return the landmark to its former glory.
The first phase of the works – which began in 2011 – have now been completed, focusing on the northern and southern façades, cleaning up a total of 13,300 sq m, including 31 arches and replacing the current arch enclosure system with brand new gates. All whilst remaining open to the public.
Next, the restoration will focus on the underground vaults and passageways – the old haunts of animals and gladiators as they awaited their entrance to the arena – as well as a service centre for visitors. This 'utility system' will allow visitors to access this historic space from the outer area of the Colosseum, rather than from within the walls of the site as it currently stands.
Restoration is slow, delicate work. Starting with a photographic survey and mapping of surfaces, a delicate hydraulic nebulous spray was employed to wash away years of dirt, deposits and growing microorganisms like algae and lichen. The loosened detritus was then brushed off and old interventions chipped away, before being replaced with more authentic, sensitive and true materials. New pointing finished off the process, aiming to reduce the infiltration of water into the stonework.
It seems such historic facelifts are rather in fashion. Tod's is the latest brand to pledge funds to similar projects in Italy; Prada and Versace teamed up to renovate Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and Fendi pledged €2.5 million to restore fountains in Rome, including the famous Trevi Fountain just last year.
At the official unveiling of the restoration work, hosted over the weekend for a group of VIP guests, a special performance by the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, featuring tenor Fabio Sartori and soprano Federica Lombardi, conducted by legendary orchestra director Zubin Mehta, filled the iconic landmark. An al fresco dinner followed, as the sun set and tricolore lights shone brighter.
Watch the extensive renovation work – which started in 2001 – on film, above
The first phase of the works have now been completed, focusing on the northern and southern façades, cleaning up a total of 13,300 sq m
Starting with a photographic survey and mapping of surfaces, a delicate hydraulic nebulous spray was employed to wash away years of dirt...
... The loosened detritus was then brushed off and old interventions chipped away
Mediocre past renovations were replaced with more authentic, sensitive and true materials, and new pointing finished off the process, aiming to reduce the infiltration of water into the stonework
A group of VIP guests gathered in Rome to celebrate the renovation work with Tod's... Photography: Antonio Camera
...A special performance by the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, featuring tenor Fabio Sartori and soprano Federica Lombardi, and conducted by legendary orchestra director Zubin Mehta flooded the iconic amphitheatre. Photography: Antonio Camera
As the sun set, the Italian tricolore lights shone brighter, setting the scene for a rather evocative al fresco dinner. Photography: Antonio Camera
INFORMATION
Photography/videography courtesy Tod's
ADDRESS
The Colosseum
Piazza del Colosseo, 1
00184 Rome