The Colosseum, the 2000-year-old symbol of ancient Rome, is usually thought to have been clad in shimmering white marble. But restorers have found traces of “a riot of colour”.
“They’ve uncovered complex decorations, floral patterns in polychrome glory including azure, ochre, pink and green,” said the superintendent of the monument, Rossella Rea.
“We’ve known since the 19th century that the Colosseum’s white splendour was punctuated by square red plaster tiles, but we never expected to find such multi-hued decorations, a veritable riot of colour.”