Bulgari-funded restoration of Rome's Spanish Steps begins

(ANSA) - Rome, October 7 - Work began Wednesday to restore Rome's iconic Spanish Steps linking Piazza di Spagna to the church of Trinità dei Monti above. The 1.5-million-euro project financed by fashion house Bulgari is being carried out by local restorer Il Cenacolo. Work is expected to finish in spring 2016, when city mayor Ignazio Marino said the steps would be "restored to the whole world in all their beauty and splendour". From Wednesday the Spanish Steps will be entirely closed to pedestrians, but from December 7 one of the side ramps will be re-opened during daytime hours to allow tourists and pilgrims to Rome for the special Jubilee dedicated to mercy to view the worksite. Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin expressed his "excitement" at the start of restoration, recalling that the project funding - made available in 2014 - was a "homage" to the Eternal City on the 130th anniversary of the company that has its flagship store just a few steps from the Spanish Steps. "Rome has always been the number one source of inspiration for Bulgari so it is right to give back to Rome what Rome has given Bulgari. It's a tribute," Babin said. The Bulgari donation follows similar initiatives by Diego Della Valle, head of leather goods company Tod's, and Italian fashion house Fendi, which have funded restoration work on the Colosseum and Trevi fountain, respectively.