COLOSSEUM "EXPANDS" @ 02 Jul 2010

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At the end of August, 4 new areas are to be opened up to visitors in Romeâ€™s most famous monument, the Colosseum. These include the Third Storey (in Roman times reserved for the common people) and part of the service area under the arena. 
The ambitious project, involving the four work sites nearing completion, plus another three to be opened shortly, requires a total investment of over â‚¬2.5 million and will give the public access to areas which have never been open before or which have been closed for many years.Â The third storey is accessibile up several flights of very steep masonry stairs. Once a covered corridor, it is now open to the sky and gives a magnificent view over the city of Rome, the Roman Forum, the Palatine and Celio hills and the Alban Hills in the distance.Â Probably the most striking â€śnewâ€ť area, however, is the section under the arena, which will only be open to groups of maximum 20 people at a time. There you can see the dark alcoves where exotic animals were kept before they were hoisted up in lifts to the arena itself and walk the passageways once trod by the gladiators.Â 
Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Colosseum alsoÂ needs a facelift. All the stonework has to be cleaned and a new surveyance system is required, for a total cost of an additional â‚¬23 million.