Romans were excited by the heaviest snowfall in a twenty five years earlier this month. However, the snow has melted and in its wake has left some damage on the city’s most popular historic site.

The Colosseum, one of Rome’s best preserved sites has begun to show signs of damage after a heavy snow fall battered Rome in early February. Officials were forced to close doors to visitors after chunks of the upper parts of the structure began to give way and fall; creating obvious hazards. The same freezing and thawing cycle that breaks our midwest highways apart, causing cracks and pot holes, has similarly affected the plaster masonry and stone walls of the Colosseum. Although average winter temperatures in Rome rarely dip 40 degrees, the first half of February saw continuous ten degrees or lower. Because most nights in Rome have reached sub-zero temperatures, water or wet snow accumulates on top of the Colosseum walls, freezes, then becomes liquid during warmer temperatures in the day. This repeated freezing and thawing expands the walls and weakens the entire structure and has caused crumbling in some areas.

Besides the fact that most popular historic site in Rome is under threat, officials are also concerned about the financial cost of closing the site. It’s estimated that on any given day, no matter the season, roughly 7,000 people visit and tour the Colosseum. Each of these visitors pays about 15 dollars. There is no indication of when the site will be re-opened but till then, the opportunity for profit is wavering. 

Although Rome’s winter season only sees these temperatures and snow fall levels about ever twenty five years, there still needs to be quick action on the part of officials and preservationists regarding how to best maintain and protect the Colosseum's structure.