Part of Nero’s palace collapses in Rome
By DPA, IANSTuesday, March 30, 2010
ROME - The collapse Tuesday of part of the ceiling of Roman emperor Nero’s famed Domus Aurea (Golden Palace) raised concern about the state of one of Rome’s most prized archaeological treasures.
No one was injured in the incident which happened when the ceiling which topped one of the corridors that links the many halls and chambers of the sprawling archaeological complex, crumbled.
Officials said rain water had collected in a lawn situated above the ceiling, causing excessive pressure on the corridor beneath, which lies partly underground.
Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno said he was “very worried”, and that an investigation would take place to determine the exact cause of the collapse.
The site, which is situated in central Rome not far from the Colosseum, was cordoned off as sand bags were placed to support the remaining parts of the corridor’s walls.
“Restoration work must begin immediately,” to prevent more parts of the building from collapsing, Domus Aurea site superintendent, Luciano Marchetti, said.
The collapse should “serve as an alarm,” as more financing for the site’s upkeep is urgently required, Marchetti added.
Built by Nero in the first century AD as a lavish landscaped villa, the Domus Aurea, has partially become subterranean over the centuries, making it vulnerable to water leaks.
