ROME -- The completion of the first phase of renovation of the Colosseum was celebrated on Friday, introducing the restoration of the exterior of the gladiators' arena at the Flavian amphitheatre to the world media present.

 At the official press conference to celebrate the completion of this first phase, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Minister of Cultural Heritage Dario Franceschini, Superintendent of Cultural Heritage of Rome Francesco Prosperetti, patrons Diego Della Valle and Andrea Della Valle, and together with the representatives of the best Italian crafts, the true ambassadors of Italy’s great culture, took centre stage.

 At the ceremony, also attended by Cultural Minister Dario Franceschini and Italian luxury entrepreneur Diego Della Valle, patron of the project, Renzi stated that the completion of the first part of the project was a "sensational signal to the world,” stressing how the first phase of the renovation had ended slightly ahead of schedule.

 As for Della Valle, he stated that, “we want to make what is needed available to our country, so that young people think they can work in Italy, so that the artisans don't try to close their businesses. Operations like this serve as the start-up of relations between the business world and what is public. This day is a cultural mark but also has an important economic sense for what tourism can bring. I’m proud to be Italian."

 The world-famous monument built in Rome between 79-80 AD has been undergoing a 25-million-euro renovation since 2013, funded by Della Valle's shoe giant Tod's.

 Chairman and chief executive officer Della Valle was sitting next to the premier, while a group of Tod’s shoemakers were presented alongside a team of skilled restorers.

 Besides Della Valle's generosity, the Colosseum benefitted from a city ordinance by former mayor Ignazio Marino forbidding private cars on the nearby boulevard, which flanks the Roman and Imperial Forums. Taxis and buses, but not private cars, are allowed on weekdays. On weekends, only pedestrians and cyclists can use the boulevard.

 The first part of the restoration plan was completed with works on the northern and southern prospectus (approximately 13,300 square meters), and the replacement of the current locking system of arches with new gates.

 The plan foresees the restoration of the ambulatory and basements of the Colosseum, the retrofit compliance and implementation of standard equipment, and the creation and repositioning from an internal to an external visitors’ service and reception area.

 At the event Franceschini said that, "The work for the arena should be completed within three years (of the allocation of funding) and therefore in 2018," giving the Colosseum a floor so that its interior regains the original appearance, and enabling it to become the venue for cultural events, including concerts and shows.

 It's not currently possible to walk around the middle of the Colosseum as its network of underground tunnels and pits is exposed.

 Some of the figures for the project are as follows:

 10,150 m² of travertine surfaces restored;

 1,700 KG of different colour and graininess lime and inerts;

 13,000 photos taken to document the Colosseum restoration;

 1,200 M² of gates, frames and iron parapets;

 81,895 identified elements in the northern and southern prospect

 A major symbol of Italian history, the Colosseum registered an all time record of 6,551,046 visitors and a gross revenue of 44,613,000 euros in 2015, making it the most visited monument in the country and the second most visited in the world, after the Great Wall of China.

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