Tod's Group is proud to have participated in the restoration of the Colosseum, giving this internationally renowned monument back to the world, an iconic symbol of both Roman and Italian history.

The restoration of the Colosseum is an initiative that was developed by the Commissioner of the Archaeological area of Rome and Ostia Antica in agreement with Rome's Archaeological Heritage Department.
Tod's for Colosseum

The second phase of the project, which began in December 2018 under the supervision of the new autonomous institute Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, has focused on the Colosseum’s hypogea, a monument within the monument, corresponding to the portion of the amphitheatre which lies below the arena and that in ancient times was invisible to the spectators. The restoration saw the involvement of more than 80 people, including archaeologists, restorers, architects, engineers, surveyors and construction workers.

At the end of the works, a 160 metre long walkway was installed in the Colosseum, opening up to visitors an area of the monument that had never been accessible before.

 

The Colosseum is more than a monument, it is a "living" building.

The amphitheatre, that once could accommodate between 50,000 -75,000 spectators, has a long and troubled history sculpted in its own structure.
Over the centuries, each of the restoration interventions that has taken place highlights the legacy of almost 2000 years of history left on one of the most iconic symbols of Rome.

 

"quote"

The Colosseum is a national symbol of Italy across the world
and its restoration is an opportunity to communicate our support
to the cultural heritage of our Country,
an honour we want to share with everyone.

Diego Della Valle

 

 

The research activities that took place during the restoration process allowed for a better understanding of the mechanisms used by technological devices dating back to the Flavian Age (69-96 AD). At the time, a system of elevators allowed men, animals and props to be brought to the arena. Today, 24 mobile platforms and 28 wooden elevators can still be seen.

The tools and the restoration works

Planes, scrapers, chisels combined with experience, passion and dedication. These were the tools used by the more than 80 experts, including restorers, archaeologists, architects, and engineers that took part in the restoration of the Colosseum’s hypogea.

The restorer uses pozzolan to seal the joints between the bricks forming a pavement known as opus spicatum. This name derives from the position of the bricks, which resembles a herringbone pattern.

The tools required for grouting the joints between the floor’s bricks (opus spicatum) are the scraper, trowel, brush, cellulose sponge, and the paintbrush.

The restorer reinforces the wall by drilling a hole in the masonry with a hand drill.

The restorer performs the grouting of the joints between the bricks that make up the floor in opus spicatum.

The restorer holds a bowl of lime-based mortar for grouting the cracks in the stone blocks.

The tools used for lime mortar-based grouting are a bowl with pozzolanic mortar, a scraper, spray with clean water, cellulose sponges, and a brush.

Mechanical removal of cements.

The restoration numbers

4.000 mq

Restored surfaces in travertine, tuff and peperino

6.300 mq

Restored brick surfaces

1.500 mq

Restored opus signinum pavement

55.723 h

Hours of work