Photos: Rome's Colosseum opens its underground passage for tourists

After 2-and-1/2 years of work to shore up the Colosseum’s underground passages, tourists will now be able to stroll down a walkway 160 meters (530 feet) long to view some of what were originally 15 corridors that circled the underground levels.

Published on: Jun 26, 2021 4:14 PM IST

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In the presence of the founder of Tod’s, the shoe-and-luxury-goods maker, who has footed the bill, Italy’s culture minister on Friday formally announced the completion of work to shore-up and restore the ancient arena’s “backstage.” ((AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))

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A view of a reproduction of an elevator that was used to reach the arena from the newly restored lower level of the Colosseum. ((AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))

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Tod's Diego Della Valle, Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini and Tod' Andrea Della Valle pose for the media ahead of the press conference at the Colosseum. ((AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))

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A visitor stands inside the Colosseum, which dungeons' restoration has been sponsored by fashion group Tod's. ((Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE/AFP).)

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Due to the pandemic, the restoration work was kept on hold. ((AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))

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Earlier, when spectators gathered at the Colosseum to watch spectacles replete with gladiators and wild animals, the public was forbidden from venturing below stage level. ((AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))

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Visitors admire the newly restored lower level of the Colosseum during an event for the media. ((AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))

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Tod's Diego Della Valle admires the lower level of the Colosseum, in Rome on Friday. ((AP Photo/Andrew Medichini))