(by Silvia Lambertucci).
For the first time in four
decades, the Colosseum's fifth and highest level will reopen to
the public on November 1 - offering visitors a magnificent view
of the amphitheater and Rome.
The 'attic' of the 2,000-year-old Flavian amphitheater was
reserved to the plebeian class who watched public spectacles and
gladiator contests in what must have been a dramatic experience
with the sound of weapons, screams from the public and the
animals' roaring, said archaeologist Rossella Rea.
"There must have been an incredible amount of different
sounds and smells" enveloping the 50,000 spectators from every
social level who were divided into different sections, she said.
The wealthy were seated on marble chairs while the lower
classes had wooden benches on the top floor and could only
glimpse at the fighting.
Visitors will be granted access to the highest level of the
amphitheater as of November 1, as part of a new tour of one of
Italy's most-visited monument.
"The view is unforgettable", said Culture Minister Dario
Franceschini, who has promoted the upcoming restoration of the
undergrounds - and the controversial covering of the arena - a
project expected to last two years and a half and cost 18
million euros.
"With the construction of the arena, it will be truly
possible to understand what it meant to watch a performance at
the Colosseum", said the minister, who visited the site this
week together with Federica Galloni, who is the interim director
of the Colosseum ahead of the selection in December of the new
manager.
A maximum of 25 people at a time will have access to the new
tours, which start on the third level of the amphitheater.
The first level of the Colosseum was reserved for the emperor
and his senators while the second was for imperial officials.
The middle-class had access to the third and merchants and
shopkeepers to the fourth.
Plebeians had to climb steep stone steps along poorly-lit
tunnels to reach the fifth and final floor, where they sometimes
spent entire days eating, "mainly chicken and cereals" which
they cooked on makeshift cookers, the remains of which have been
found by archaeologists, said Rea.
The highest floor was rebuilt in the 19th century by Luigi
Canina.
The Colosseum attracts over six million visitors a year,
making it the capital's leading tourist attraction.
Construction of the Colosseum was started by emperor
Vespasian in 70 AD and completed by his successor Titus ten
years later.
Its travertine exterior was recently restored thanks to a
25-million-euro donation from Diego Della Valle, patron of
luxury shoe manufacturer Tod's.
Tickets cost nine euros (visits are free for children under
12) or 15 if the visit includes the undergrounds and arena.
Booking is mandatory.
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