Tourists Won't Be Able to Touch Colosseum Anymore

Iron columns will protect visitors from falling debris
By Liam Carnahan,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 28, 2012 8:21 AM CST
Tourists Won't Be Able to Touch Colosseum Anymore
Technicians drop a stone from the top of Rome's ancient Colosseum to evaluate possible risks to visitors, Wednesday, July 18, 2012. Colosseum director Rossella Rea said the test are being done to evaluate the eventual need of new safety measures in case of an accidental fall of rocks from the monument....   (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

The days of getting up close and personal with Rome's iconic Colosseum are coming to an end. The monument will soon be ringed by a protective barrier to keep tourists out of the reach of falling debris. Cast iron columns will be erected anywhere from 15 to 50 feet from the outer walls, reports Reuters, which notes that bits and pieces of the monument have been tumbling to the ground lately, often after rain storms. Officials say that the Colosseum itself isn't in danger of collapsing, and will soon receive its first restoration in 73 years. Don't worry, tourists and Spartacus wannabes—the ruins will remain open the entire time. (More Colosseum stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X