The Colosseum will open its gates to pop stars and reenactments of gladiatorial fights

Rome, October 15 - The Roman Colosseum will host concerts by major pop stars in the future, announced the director of the archaeological park, Simone Quilici, according to the DPA agency. He wants to open the more than 2,000-year-old monument to personalities such as Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel and Sting.

The new director did not give a specific date for the performances, but pointed out that other ancient sites in Rome, such as the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla, are already used for concerts. According to the EFE agency, Quilici would also like to organize historical reconstructions of gladiatorial fights in addition to concerts.

Quilici also announced that he will ban people in gladiatorial costumes who beg for money from entering the area. "My goal is to return the Colosseum to the city," said the 55-year-old director of the monument area. The music concerts are also intended to serve this purpose. "My dream is Paul McCartney," said Quilici. The former Beatles member once performed at the Colosseum for a select group of people in 2003.

With more than 14.7 million visitors a year, the Colosseum is Italy’s most visited tourist attraction. The arena was built in the first century AD as a venue for gladiatorial contests and other forms of entertainment. Due to the hustle and bustle around the Colosseum, many locals now avoid the monument. Locals also repeatedly complain about pushy souvenir sellers and scammers waiting at the entrance to the Colosseum.

Czech press agency | WT.24

Photo: William Dahl