The Italian government has approved a plan by architecture studio
Labics and Fabio Fumagalli and engineering firm
Milan Ingegneria to create a retractable floor at the Colosseum in Rome. The new floor will replace the arena's original floor, which was removed in the 19th century. "
giving the public the same view that they had in ancient times from the monument's stage ", says Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park.
Resting on the existing structure of the building, the floor will allow the elaborate hypogeum – the complex of elevators that took gladiators directly to the arena below the stage – to be viewed. The stage will be made from a series of
carbon fiber slats with Accoya wood finish, which will be supported on rails. To retract the floor, these slats will be rotated 90 degrees and then removed.
“The blades will be moved
without interrupting the visit or hiding any part of the archaeological structures ,” explained the Colosseum Archaeological Park. “Activating this mechanism during the visit to the underground areas will guarantee new and highlighted views, in addition to
amplifying the effect of the light.” natural and the grandeur of the Colosseum ”. The installation of the new floor is scheduled for 2023.
