Rome shows off cleaned up Colosseum

Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (C) speaks during a news conference about the latest stage of restoration of the Colosseum by luxury goods firm Tod's in Rome, Italy, July 1, 2016. The landmark Roman era Colosseum arena underwent a major clean-up 3 years ago. [Photo/Agencies]

ROME - Rome's Colosseum was visibly cleaner on Friday as Italy showed off the latest phase of restoration of one of its most famous landmarks.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, speaking on a stage in the amphitheatre built to host gladiatorial contests nearly 2,000 years ago, hailed the mammoth clean-up project as an example for protecting the country's vast cultural heritage.

Italy's monuments were neglected for decades amid shrinking government funding and alleged mismanagement, which put some of its 51 UNESCO World Heritage sites at risk of crumbling.

They included the Colosseum, which had fallen into disrepair when luxury shoemaker Tod's pledged 25 million euros ($28 mln) to restore it five years ago.

The project risked being cancelled after coming under scrutiny from regulators and unions, mostly over the awarding of the restoration contract, but the cleanup of the outer surface of the amphitheatre, which required covering parts of it in scaffolding, is now complete.

Renzi, standing on a floor above cages where lions and other wild animals were let loose during gladiator fights, praised the private investment in a site that attracts 6 million visitors a year.

"Someone who got their wallet out and wrote a big cheque has shown that maybe the idea that you can't get things done in Italy is finished," the premier said.