'House of the Gladiators' collapses in Pompeii
Source: Agencies |
November 8, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE 2,000-year-old "House of the Gladiators" in the ruins of ancient Pompeii collapsed on Saturday, sparking fresh debate on whether the Italian government is doing enough to safeguard a world treasure.
The stone house, on the main street of the famous archeological site and measuring about 80 square meters, collapsed just after dawn while Pompeii was closed to visitors, officials said.
Custodians discovered the collapse when they opened the UNESCO World Heritage site for the day.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano called it "a shame for Italy" and demanded an explanation.
The structure was believed to be where gladiators gathered and trained and used as a club house before going to battle in a nearby amphitheater in the city that was destroyed by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The structure was not open to visitors but was visible from one of the ancient city's main streets. Its walls were decorated with frescoes of military themes.
The building was damaged by bombs during World War II and was restored in the late 1940s. Officials speculated the collapse was caused by heavy rains but most commentators said long-standing neglect was probably the root cause.
Roberto Cecchi, undersecretary at the culture ministry, said that from first checks it appeared that parts of frescoes on the lower walls might be saved. Measures were being taken to thwart further collapse.
Art historians and residents for years have complained that the archeological sites at Pompeii were in a state of decay and needed better maintenance. Two years ago the government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii. It lasted about a year and allowed extra funds and special measures.
Some commentators said the site should be privatized and removed from state control because the government had shown it was incapable of protecting it.
The stone house, on the main street of the famous archeological site and measuring about 80 square meters, collapsed just after dawn while Pompeii was closed to visitors, officials said.
Custodians discovered the collapse when they opened the UNESCO World Heritage site for the day.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano called it "a shame for Italy" and demanded an explanation.
The structure was believed to be where gladiators gathered and trained and used as a club house before going to battle in a nearby amphitheater in the city that was destroyed by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The structure was not open to visitors but was visible from one of the ancient city's main streets. Its walls were decorated with frescoes of military themes.
The building was damaged by bombs during World War II and was restored in the late 1940s. Officials speculated the collapse was caused by heavy rains but most commentators said long-standing neglect was probably the root cause.
Roberto Cecchi, undersecretary at the culture ministry, said that from first checks it appeared that parts of frescoes on the lower walls might be saved. Measures were being taken to thwart further collapse.
Art historians and residents for years have complained that the archeological sites at Pompeii were in a state of decay and needed better maintenance. Two years ago the government declared a state of emergency for Pompeii. It lasted about a year and allowed extra funds and special measures.
Some commentators said the site should be privatized and removed from state control because the government had shown it was incapable of protecting it.
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