Gucci is to fund a two-year 1.6
million euro restoration of the Tarpeian Rock, the cliff ancient
Romans threw traitors off.
The fashion house on Thursday unveiled the partnership with
the Capitoline Superintendency, entitled 'Tarpeian Rock, Between
Legend and Future'.
It is the latest such partnership in the Eternal City, where
Fendi funded the restoration of the Trevi Fountain and Bulgari
that of the Spanish Steps in recent years.
Last August 31, stones and earth fell off the famed rock in
Rome in what officials called a "mini-landslide".
The Tarpeian Rock is a steep cliff on the southern summit of
the Capitoline Hill, overlooking the ancient Roman Forum.
It was used during the Roman Republic as an execution site.
Murderers, traitors, perjurors and larcenous slaves, if
convicted by quaestors, were flung from the cliff to their
deaths.
The cliff was about 25 meters (80 ft) high.
"I thanks Gucci for this act of love towards the city," said
Mayor Virginia Raggi.
"The Tarpeian Rock will return to life and, thanks to the
splendid setting of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, will
become a unique and evocative place to host important cultural
and artistic events".
The project will, among other things, restore gardens that
have long been closed to the public.
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