Here at the eCool Compound we’re aware that not every traveler to Rome is equally enticed by the bountiful remains of antiquity strewn across the Eternal City. Looking at fallen-down temples, collapsed columns, and foundation walls can get old — we’ll be the first to admit it.
But, that doesn’t make us any more sympathetic to the city of Rome’s announcement that they’re planning an ancient Roman theme park. Here’s what Reuters has to say:
With the ruins of ancient Rome, the splendor of Vatican City and countless Renaissance art treasures, what does Italy’s capital lack to attract tourists?
The answer, according to the mayor’s office, is a Disneyland-style theme park.
“The model is Euro-Disney in Paris,” said Deputy Mayor Mauro Cutrufo, announcing plans to build a vast ancient Rome theme park just outside the city which he says could be up and running within three to four years.
The park would provide family-friendly attractions to show visitors what life was like in the Rome of 2,000 years ago.
“You would relive scenes from the Colosseum, from ancient Rome, gladiators or maybe Julius Caesar or other things,” a Rome city official said.
In a city that’s chock-full of amazing experiences — from walking on ancient roads to gazing at Michelangelo’s frescoes on the Sistine Ceiling — do we really need to offer visitors an fabricated alternative to seeing Rome’s amazing art and architecture? Why build a fake Colosseum in a fake ancient Rome when the real thing is there for the taking?
We’re troubled by this, as are some city officials:
The government of the Lazio region, of which Rome is the capital, is run by the centre left and they are hostile to the proposal from the city council which is in the hands of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s centre right.
“I say no to Americanization,” said Claudio Mancini, a member of the Lazio council, who hopes the project will be stopped at the planning stage.
To our eye the project seems to be nothing more than a way to remove a few more euro from the pockets of tourists. Why not invest the same money to make Rome’s already-fabulous tourist attractions a bit more enjoyable? There’s certainly no end to things that could be done to enhance visitor experience at the Forum, the Colosseum, and the myriad of museums that are jam-packed with stunning art works. Read on. And let us know what you think.
