BBC Homepage
●Skip to content
●Accessibility Help
●Your account
●Home
●News
●Sport
●Earth
●Reel
●Worklife
●Travel
●
Search BBC
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Close menu
BBC News
Menu
●Home
●Israel-Gaza war
●War in Ukraine
●India Election 2024
●Climate
●Video
●World
●Asia
●UK
●Business
More
●Tech
●Science
●Entertainment & Arts
●Health
●World News TV
●In Pictures
●BBC Verify
●Newsbeat
●World
●Africa
●Australia
●Europe
●Latin America
●Middle East
●US & Canada
House of the Gladiators collapses in Pompeii
Published
Share page
About sharing
This video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Media caption,
Pompeii is hugely popular with tourists but has suffered from a lack of investment
A house in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii has collapsed, raising concerns about Italy's state support for its archaeological heritage.
The House of the Gladiators was found in ruins when curators came to open the site to visitors early on Saturday.
Partially rebuilt after it sustained damage during World War II, it had not been thought at risk of collapse.
Culture Minister Sandro Bondi said some of the frescos on the house's lower walls might have survived.
He said that the collapse showed the need for "adequate resources" to preserve Italy's "immense historic artistic heritage".
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said it was "a shame for Italy".
Antonio Varone, director of excavations at the site, said officials were "trying to preserve the last fragments" of the building.
Heavy rains
The house, which is not normally open to the public but can be viewed from the outside, was cordoned off after the collapse.
There was speculation that recent heavy rains might have made the structure unstable.
The house, known as the Schola Armaturarum, was used by gladiators for training before fights in the nearby amphitheatre.
Pompeii was destroyed in AD79 when a volcanic eruption from nearby Mount Vesuvius buried the city in ash. It was not uncovered until the 18th Century.
Tsao Cevoli, president of Italy's National Association of Archaeologists, called the collapse "an irreparable wound to the world's most important archaeological site".
Extra funds were made available two years ago, and special measures put in place, to improve conservation at Pompeii, but critics say the plan was badly managed.
Related Internet Links
Pompeii - official site
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Top Stories
Biden defiant despite making gaffes at Nato summit
Published
6 hours ago
Key moments as Biden spars with reporters and fumbles twice
Published
6 hours ago
Four migrants die in English Channel crossing attempt
Published
7 minutes ago
Features
Which voters should the Tories go after now?
The Papers: Prison release scheme and the pound surges
Weekly quiz: How many women joined the record-breaking Cabinet?
I don't know how much time Garbage has left - Shirley Manson
How do you dispose of a whole pod of 77 whales?
'Southgate stands on brink of glorious vindication'
Who will be Donald Trump's pick for vice-president?
Hollywood's Democratic donors turn away from Biden
What is a crossbow and is owning one legal?
Elsewhere on the BBC
The fake cricket cup that stumped Russian gamblers
The true story of an audacious sporting scam, master-minded by a tiny Indian village
Critically acclaimed, must-watch drama
A poignant, beautifully crafted and unmissable ‘coming of middle-age’ story
Twisting the election with multi-award winning satire
Jon Holmes' remixed, mind-bending audio mash-up of the general election noise
Sir Michael Palin on his formative creative influences
Sir Michael's long career encompasses everything from Shakespeare to fish-slapping
Most Read
1
Biden stands defiant on critical night - but gaffes mar fightback
2
Michael Mosley's wife says response 'extraordinary'
3
Four migrants die in English Channel crossing attempt
4
Manhunt continues after body parts found in suitcases
5
Gavin Plumb could have been stopped sooner, says survivor
6
Strangers ‘eavesdropped’ on confidential helpline
7
Prison release scheme and the pound surges
8
Crossbow killing suspect 'yet to speak with police'
9
No 10 behind Orgreave violence - government lawyer
10
India tycoon Ambani’s son to marry in grand wedding
BBC News Services
●On your mobile
●On smart speakers
●Get news alerts
●Contact BBC News
●Home
●News
●Sport
●Earth
●Reel
●Worklife
●Travel
●Culture
●Future
●Music
●TV
●Weather
●Sounds
●Terms of Use
●About the BBC
●Privacy Policy
●Cookies
●Accessibility Help
●Parental Guidance
●Contact the BBC
●Get Personalised Newsletters
●Why you can trust the BBC
●Advertise with us
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.