The 6.5 magnitude earthquake that shook central Italy at 7.40 a.m. on Sunday rendered more than 25,000 people homeless and caused widespread destruction in around 100 towns in Central Italy.
The worst earthquake to hit Italy in three decades has added worrisome cracks to the Colosseum, threatening the country’s most popular historic landmark.
In Italy the stones, the buildings, the churches and the artworks are the backbone of the country.
Experts are still estimating the damage to around 5,000 churches, bell towers, historic buildings and ancient walls brought down by the recent tremors.
Ancient Romans were very well aware of the aftermath of the earthquake and therefore included that in their construction.
A thorough inspection has led at the Colosseum instantly after Sunday’s quake. Historic sites including the Roman Forum, the Baths of Caracalla and the Pantheon as well as the Colosseum which was declared safe and opened to tourists on Sunday was battered.
The Colosseum was built in 80 A.D. is the largest Roman amphitheatre in the world and was once covered in blood during vicious gladiatorial contests that spellbound ancient Rome.
The ancient arena has been shaken by seismic tremors several times over the centuries and ensued catastrophic damage in 1349 earthquake which brought down the south side of the amphitheatre.
There is no evidence as of now to show we are in a situation any different from the past few years.
Still the third seismic earthquake to hit Italy in two months struck at the heart of Italy’s cultural heritage, shattered a Benedictine cathedral, a medieval tower and other popular landmarks that had survived the earlier jolts across a mountainous region of small historic towns.
Image Credit: en.wikipedia.org
