Colosseum’s Southern Facade Restored: A Glimpse into Ancient Rome’s Grand Entrance

Rome’s Colosseum Reveals Its Ancient Grandeur with Southern Facade Restoration

The southern side of Rome’s iconic Colosseum has been restored to its former glory, offering modern visitors a rare glimpse into how the ancient monument appeared nearly 2,000 years ago. This meticulous facelift, led by Stefano Boeri Interiors in collaboration with the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, focuses on the southern perimeter, where emperors and the elite once entered the grand amphitheater to witness gladiatorial combat.

Restoring Centuries of Lost History

The project centers on two key elements: the restoration of the original ground levels of the outer arcades and the reconstruction of the crepidine—a two-step marble base that once encircled the monument. Earthquakes and erosion had eroded much of this historic structure, particularly the two outermost arcade rings on the southern side, leaving gaps in the Colosseum’s layout.

Through decades of archaeological research, the team identified the monument’s original dimensions and restored the plaza-like crepidine to its 96 AD appearance. New paving stones, aligned with the arched entries, recreate the physical experience of approaching the amphitheater’s entrance as Roman emperors would have.

Architectural Intervention Reveals Hidden Details

Architect Stefano Boeri, renowned for Milan’s Bosco Verticale towers, led the intervention with a focus on historical sensitivity. His design incorporates abstract rectangular white marble blocks in the new pavement, positioned to mimic the location of the original pillars that once supported the corridors. This subtle yet powerful detail evokes the ghost of the Colosseum’s long-lost southern side.

"The perimeter of the Colosseum was not clear. The emperor used to enter from that side. So it’s very important."

Boeri emphasized the importance of preserving the monument’s authenticity: "When you step on the crepidine, you have the feeling of being inside the monument, because what you are walking on, the ground is exactly the same as what we had 2,000 years ago."

"We wanted to create for every visitor the real perception of the dimension of the monument, the true perception of its proportions," he added.

Trapezoidal Paving Stones Mirror the Monument’s Form

The restoration also includes trapezoidal marble slabs in the paving, aligned precisely with the arched entries that ring the amphitheater. This design choice ensures that visitors experience the Colosseum’s original layout, enhancing their understanding of its grandeur and historical significance.

Collaboration and Decades of Research

The project is the result of extensive archaeological research into the Colosseum’s original extent, which had been obscured by Rome’s urban development and the monument’s natural decay. By superimposing the new pavement design over the existing structure, the team successfully revealed the hidden history of the southern facade.

"We decided to superimpose in the new pavement a system of very abstract rectangular white marble blocks that were located exactly in the position of the pre-existent pillars that were sustaining the arcs for the corridors. This is to give the idea to the people that they are entering, in a way, the monument."

The restoration of the Colosseum’s southern side not only preserves its architectural heritage but also provides a tangible connection to ancient Rome, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators alike.