Italian Luxury Label Tod's to Restore Rome's Colosseum

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed)
Jan 24th 2011 at 3:02PM

Diego Della Valle, President of Italian luxury label Tod's, and Italy's Ministry of Culture have announced that the Tod's Group will finance a complete restoration of Rome's historic Colosseum with a monetary commitment of 25 million euros, or about $34 million. Mr. Della Valle (above left), Rome's Mayor Gianni Alemanno (right), Culture Undersecretary Francesco Giro and the Government Commissioner for central Rome's archaeological area held a press conference at the Colosseum's arena to announce the project.

Completed in 80 AD under the emperor Titus, the Colosseum is capable of seating 50,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts and executions. The project will proceed in eight phases dedicated to the cleanup and restoration of the architectural icon. "We believe that because the Tod's Group is a strong global representative of 'Made in Italy', it is both an honour and our duty to contribute to the support of our country's image and credibility, as well as its cultural heritage," Della Valle declares.

Tags: architecture, Colosseum, Diego Della Valle, history, Italy, Rome, Tods

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Bob Jan 25th 2011 7:38AM

This is Fantastic!!! ITaly finally woke up , and now is on the road to restore it's greatest treasure, besides Sophia Loren.

TCHSPIRIT6 Jan 25th 2011 7:12PM

WHY. WHY. WHY.

Cal Jan 25th 2011 8:33AM

I agree that this is a terrific idea and is amazing that this guy is willing to pay out that much to get it done. My only question is after all these years, is it a good idea to change the Colosseum from the way everyone is now used to seeing it? It would be interesting to see what it originally looked like.

Susan Jan 25th 2011 1:24PM

Maybe he wants them to rename it after him..It is only great if his is doing it and asking nothing in return!!

Da Doo Ron Ron Jan 25th 2011 1:32PM

Hiya! It won't be a "makeover," just a shoring up / strengthening of what is there now. So much of it was plundered and used to build other churches and homes... entire sections were carted away. These will never be replaced, which is fine. But it does need to be made safer, and more sections opened up for visitors to experience.

alyare Jan 25th 2011 8:39AM

This is so fantastic! I really hope they stick to using the same stone it was originally made with when restoring it. This is going to be such a beautiful site when completed. Have they said if there are any plans after the restoration?

Bill Jan 25th 2011 6:47PM

They have outstanding craftsmen and I am sure they will do a great job. I remember the first time I saw it. I don't know if tourist are allowed to go inside as we were many years ago.

Deborah Jan 26th 2011 12:27AM

There were several materials used to build the Colosseum, but mostly concrete (yes, they used it way back then!)

The other Tom Jan 25th 2011 9:14AM

Now if they could only bring back the "Slave Labor" who built it. $34 million dollars isn't going to buy much these days. Clean it up and let it be what it is - A Historic Site. Next someone will try to turn it into a shopping mall or amusement park. It is what it is. An Historical Landmark, where the elite population of Rome enjoyed watching people and animals maimed and killed.

sws323 Jan 25th 2011 9:23AM

This is fantastic news. We were in Rome last May and I had my first look at the colosseum - it took my breath away. The sheer size and construction methods are incredible. I applaud this company that stepped in to save one of the greatest pieces of architecture for future generations.

Connie Nurse Jan 25th 2011 9:31AM

It would cost much more then $34 million to restore it to how it was in Rome's glory days. The polluttion from car exhaust and the inviornment in general along with past looting has reduced this once majestic site to it's crumbling self today.
I have seen the Colossum in person and as with so many other historic sites world wide WE are slowly destroying them.
BTW, there are many good books with pictures of the Colossum shown as it was. Marble faced, statues in the arched areas to mention just 2.....

Jenny Jan 25th 2011 10:09AM

The Colosseum is so wonderful. I visited it back in November :). However, it could use some more preservation. That's why I'm glad this Italian shoe company is preserving it :D!!! Now, here's to hoping that they don't actually commercialize it!!

Jane Jan 25th 2011 10:22AM

I've said for a long tome that someone should reconstruct some of the historical sites. This is a big undertaking and would be interesting to see but also my morbid mind says the unfortunate victims of the arena will probably roll in their graves. This was the site of torture and death for so many by wicked inhuman rulers. Hope they use it for something constructive to wash away the bad aura.

emily29388 Jan 25th 2011 10:27AM

Restore it? Or just preserve what is left? Either way it is a waste of money.

Hau, Kola. Jan 25th 2011 10:57AM

How awesome! As long as they don't want the name changed or a big sign that has their name on it..like what has happened to all the arenas here!

Mary Jan 25th 2011 11:38AM

I agree with those who feel this is a wonderful thing that a wealthy man is willing to do to save a historic entity. Here in my community a lovely old early 20th century stone building is being torn down because the council would not preserve it, the developer had clout...and guess what, a shopping center, which we need like a hole in the head is going in its place...such is the American way...So sad...and how about Walmart wanting to put a big shopping center near the Gettysburg Battlefield?????

Snowy Jan 25th 2011 2:58PM

i've seen walmart literally move graveyards in order to build in a location that to them seems worth building on, thats horrible to me to defile a graveyard in the name of more profits, the store they had before was only 10 years old, they were screaming more space when they could have easily takem more room at the shopping center they were at, there were shops open and available all around them.

frankerin Jan 25th 2011 11:46AM

Sounds like publicity for the aleged donor, and tax write offs, if Italy has such, and a scam for more donations and grants from the govt. And they will name it to suit them, whenever they stop shoveling cash into it. Finally, whatever they do, they will never meet building codes. They do have these in Italy, don't they. Also, few pay taxes or even register property. Fewer still have businesses competent for simple jobs, never mind the Collosium.

visconti24 Jan 25th 2011 2:09PM

frankerin: You can't even spell the name of the building in question and you voluteer stupid remarks about its preservation. Do you know anything about Italian tax laws? Obviously not. There are very few writeoffs for charitable donations in Italy, I'll inform you. So Mr. Della Valle and Tod's are really doing this as a gift to the country. And the people who wrote this "story" are as silly as you are. $34 million won't pay for "restoration" of the Anfiteatrum Flavium. It is a donation to continue the work of stabilization of what remains of it.

frankerin Jan 25th 2011 4:37PM

It would appear that you are in favor of the expenditure of time and money. But whom do you work for? Spelling by the way on boards such as this is irrelevant as people type fast and don't wait for editing. You on the other hand have the time to spellcheck. Congratulations. As to tax write offs, read again to see where I said , "if Italy has such". You claim they don't and I believe you. The people who actually pay taxes are fewer every year. Stabilization on other monuments have suffered massive signage for the publicity of builders and pols. Spare me the accolades for the shoe man. He does nothing for nothing. Your rousing defense is just a small insignificant kind of reward.

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