Rome's Colosseum sparkles after magnate-funded restoration

In an act of modern-day cultural patronage, company founder Diego Della Valle responded to a government call to the private sector to help Italy's chronically anemic coffers to care for its immense art and archaeological treasures.

[...] buoyed by the brighter look of the Colosseum's restoration, which was officially unveiled on Friday, Italy's culture minister, Dario Franceschini, announced that 18 million euros ($20 million) have been found to replace, by the end of 2018, the arena's long vanished floor with one that could support modern-day entertainment, although monument-rocking rock concerts have been ruled out.

Tod's is paying 25 million euros for the entire project, whose next steps include constructing a visitors' center with a cafeteria and shoring up the bottom, where gladiators prepped, and wild beasts and scenery were kept for spectacles for the ancient Roman masses.

Culture Minister Dario Franceschini pointed out that the shoe magnate was especially generous, since Della Valle offered the funds before a new Italian law took effect, in late 2014, giving modern-day versions of Medici princes of the arts huge tax breaks.

[...] the effect is one of surprise," Colosseum director Rossella Rea told The Associated Press.

Besides Della Valle's generosity, the Colosseum benefited from a city ordinance forbidding private cars on the nearby boulevard, which flanks Roman and Imperial Forums.