Italy’s Culture Minister Dario Franceschini has voiced his support for the proposed restoration of the Colosseum’s combat ground, which would rebuild the entire stage where gladiatorial and animal fights took place.
The Colosseum began expanding its range of attractions in 2010, when it reopened the hypogeum underground area, where gladiators and animals waited before the games started.
Colosseum’s superintendent Rossella Rea said the goal was to give an idea of the heated atmosphere in the underground pits in the moments before the games started.
Rebuilding the combat stage, which was in place until the mid-1800s, would have the same effect, plus it would allow the cultural ministry to organize performances inside the Colosseum.
In a tweet on Sunday, Francheschini posted a photo showing how visitors “saw and experienced the Colosseum up until a little more than a century ago.” The photo, in black and white, shows the stage covering the underground tunnels, similar to ancient times (nowadays they are exposed).
The idea to restore the stage was suggested by archeologist Daniele Manacorda in July in the archeological journal Archeo.
Some archeologists and art historians however do not support the idea, saying it would not be right to use the Colosseum as a performance venue and that priority should be given to cultural heritage that is in danger.
