A new floor for Rome's Colosseum proposed

ROME, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- A plan to install a modern floor in Rome's Colosseum and use the ancient stadium for events was proposed by Italy's culture minister.

The plan would require a surface across the playing field of the Colosseum, a 50,000- 80,000-seat stadium built in 70-80 A.D., last used for events in early medieval times and still the model for stadium construction.

The missing floor currently exposes the two-story network of walls and rooms, which gladiators used as locker rooms, and from which animals, scenery and other props could be raised through trapdoors during theatrical and other presentations.

Last week Dario Franceschini, the culture minister, told Rome's Foreign Press Association, "I am convinced that an intelligent reconstruction of the Colosseum arena, which is the monument that symbolizes the country, could make it become much, much more attractive. One must make monuments come alive," noting the Colosseum would be ideal for "classical music, ancient drama, spectacular things that clearly would have enormous cultural value in terms of television rights."

His comments seconded those of archeologist Daniele Manacorda, who has suggested a new floor could enhance the old building's use as a venue for events, instead of merely an architectural monument to the Roman era. Although Franceschini declined an offer from James Pallotta, owner of the soccer team AS Roma, to stage a pay-per-view soccer match on the floor of the Colosseum, he suggested theatrical events and classical music concerts could raise funds to maintain the building.