Archinect - News

Airbnb lets you inside the Colosseum for a special gladiator theme experience

2024-11-13T18:01:00-05:00

Airbnb has announced a new partnership with Paramount Pictures for a unique experience as part of the promotional campaign for Ridley Scott’s new Gladiator II sequel. Its setting is the famed Colosseum in Rome. Lucky guests will be guided via concierge into the structure’s hypogeum for a special one-night-only tour before selecting battle armor and readying for combat in the moonlit arena. Fans of the ancient tradition shouldn't miss the opportunity to register here by December 9. Please note: this is not an overnight stay. Ancient Roman posca sports drinks are also not included.

Image: Christopher Anderson/Airbnb

Image: Daniele Castellaro/Airbnb

Rome's Colosseum is worth a cool $79 billion, according to Deloitte

2022-07-28T12:23:00-04:00

The real value of one of the world’s most well-recognized historic sites is now officially set after the global financial consultancy Deloitte published their assessment of Rome’s ancient Colosseum on Monday.

According to Deloitte, the nearly 2,000-year-old Flavian amphitheater is worth exactly $79 billion. Its estimate is derived principally from responses to a survey that begged Italians a variety of questions pertaining to the perception of the Colosseum, of which the overwhelming majority — $75 billion — was ascribed to “social value.”

Romans in the survey placed an outsize value ($91 over $57) compared to their countrymen when asked about the monetary amount they would contribute per year to ensure the preservation of the first-century relic. Around 87% said it was the most important monument in Italy. Some 70% think the entire world should be tasked with financing its ongoing upkeep, wh...

The Colosseum in Rome opens its ancient Hypogeum to the public for the first time

2021-06-30T14:59:00-04:00

A newly restored Hypogeum has been unveiled in Rome over the weekend, opening the catacombs of the famed Colosseum to the public for the first time in its 2,000-year history.

The Italian Ministry of Culture has announced that the little-seen section is finally open thanks to a decades-long restoration project funded in part by a $29.8 million gift from fashion brand Tod’s.

Planned on a whim at the end of the first century AD, the Colosseum was the last great project under Emperor Vespasian and incorporated a labyrinth-like, wood-covered underground area (added under Emperor Domitian) used as a multi-purpose space by the building's grounds crew and as barracks and staging area for gladiators. Just like the ancient fighters, who were meant to be hidden as they entered the arena floor through a series of tunnels, visitors are now free to explore.

The Colosseum’s final Venatio came in ...

Take a look at the newly unveiled high-tech floor for the Colosseum arena in Rome

2021-05-03T17:03:00-04:00

The floor of Rome’s Colosseum, where gladiators once fought against each other and wild animals, is set to be restored to its former glory. Milan Ingegneria, a structural engineering and architecture firm, has won an €18.5m (£16m) bid to build and install a retractable arena floor that will allow visitors “to see the majesty of the monument” from its centre, culture minister Dario Franceschini said on Sunday.

Plans for the arena floor restoration of the Roman Colosseum (completed in AD80 under Emperor Titus) first appeared on Archinect in January.

Concept for the new Colosseum arena floor. Video via MiC_Italia on YouTube.

Milan Ingegneria's concept of a retractable arena floor allows the structure to be flexible and easily removed again should the need arise. If construction goes according to plan, the new attraction will open in 2023.

A €10 million project will be offered to the designer who can recreate the original Colosseum arena floor in Rome

2021-01-12T12:39:00-05:00

The Italian culture ministry is offering the €10 million project to the designer who can turn the clock back 2,000 years to when 35,000 Romans bayed for blood in the ancient stadium.

According to The Times, "Italy is looking for a brilliant engineer to reinstall the Colosseum arena floor, complete with trapdoors and the hidden lifts that allowed wild animals to leap out and menace gladiators."

Previously on Archinect: Mayor-less Rome's logistical battle to invest in its past and present

"We want to give an idea of how it was and we are seeking proposals from around the world," said Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum, as reported by The Times.

LEGO to release 9,035-piece set of the Colosseum in Rome

2020-11-11T13:50:00-05:00

LEGO® presents the brick reproduction of one of the most fascinating monuments in the world. This is the largest LEGO product ever made, with great attention to detail to make it faithful to the original and to enhance its timeless beauty.

According to The Brick Fan, the LEGO Colosseum (10276) would be LEGO's largest set, consisting of 9,035 pieces. LEGO Italy has suggested that the new set could be announced on November 13th.

Mayor-less Rome's logistical battle to invest in its past and present

2015-12-21T17:43:00-05:00

While some residents may be more concerned about their overflowing rubbish bins than maintaining ancient monuments, for many the survival of modern Rome will depend on the preservation of the past.

As Rome moves forward without a mayor, the city is taking on the restoration of both the Colosseum and the Porta Maggiore basilica while updating the modern city.

More about Rome on Archinect:

Was Rome really a "City of Marble"?

A breakneck tour of contemporary architecture in Rome

Contemporary Art in an 8th-Century Roman Church

Colosseum in Rome is leaning, officials say

2012-07-30T10:12:00-04:00

The ancient Colosseum in Rome is slanting about 40cm lower on the south side than on the north, and authorities are investigating whether it needs urgent repairs.

Plans to restore crumbling Colosseum cause rumblings in Rome

2012-01-06T17:11:00-05:00

Restoration of the monument, which attracts up to two million visitors a year, is due to go ahead in March and will involve cleaning of the travertine exterior, the restoration of underground chambers, new gating, the moving of visitor service stations to an area outside of the building itself and increased video security.