THE COLOSSEUM IN Italy is to be restored using a private donation, with work due to begin this December.

The controversial plan will take two-and-a-half years to complete, however authorities say the popular monument will remain open to tourists during this time, News24 reports.

Italy’s economic problems mean the country’s government is relying more and more on private funding for such endeavours, although concerns have been raised that sponsors might take commercial advantage of such associations.

The popularity of the ruin, which is almost 2,000 years old, has increased sharply in the past number of years – with annual footfall rising from one million to six million over the past decade, the BBC reports.

Added to the sheer number of people visiting the monument are the effects of pollution and vibrations; in the past few days it has also been confirmed that the building is tilting.

Luxury shoemaker Tod’s will fund the restoration, which Rome’s superintendent for archaeological  heritage Mariarosaria Barbera said would make the Colosseum 25 per cent more accessible for visitors in the future.

The works will see the building cleaned, cracks repaired, and the temporary metal arches currently at ground level removed. A new visitor centre will also be built outside the ruin.

Following the works, the building will also be returned to its original colour of white ochre.

Read: Ryanair put in bid for sponsorship rights of… the Colosseum

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