What's the significance of the Berlin Olympics pictures hung inside the Colosseum? Were they related to the Hilter's visit to Rome? Who are these athletes in the pitures?
Steph, I went last Sunday. The pictures were black and white, with words of Berlino 1936 printed on them. No reference to Nike. They were displayed prominently throughout the colossuem on the second level hallway. No other explanations were insight.
Steph, is right on track. There has been an exhibit there for some time now. It is not to the Company, but the Goddess: Nike. The goddess of victory. So you will see within the exhibit anything from the discus thrower to a real crown of golden leaves for the victors to pictures of modern victory(the ones you mention).
Bercause of this exhibit, the Colosseum has also raised there price to 10 euros per person. A couple of us believe that when the exhibit ends they will just keep the price at 10 and hope that nobody notices. Why charge less when everyone is so willing to pay more?!
I thought the exhibit had ended last month. Maybe I missed it, but there were no other Nike (the victory god)-related items. Perhaps they just left these photos up since they weren't as valuable as the rest of the exhibit items.
Since I had no prior experience with the Colosseum, upon seeing those photos of the Berlin Olympics, I speculated that this was the way Colosseum had been kept to make it feel like circa late 1930's, a time when via fori imperiali was completed. A pretty bad guess, yes?
The exhibit was supposed to end on January 4th. However, I was on a private tour in the Colosseum on January 31st and the exhibit was still there. It is located on the second floor. One of the entrances is located directly next to the large gift shop. The other entrance is not to far from the elevator.
The pictures you saw, if I am not mistaken, were on the second floor near the elevator. Therefor, they were not located with the exhibit itself.
quote:Originally posted by SteveS: I speculated that this was the way Colosseum had been kept to make it feel like circa late 1930's, a time when via fori imperiali was completed. A pretty bad guess, yes?
Actually a good guess. Just not the correct guess. There is logic behind your assumption, that most would never of thought of.
Actually, if anything, they would want to move away from that time period. *Not going to get into it, but it is a deep political issue* But, on a historical and archelogical issue. The Via d. Fori Imperial is an item that certain groups want removed from this city.
Mussolini had this concept of conecting himself to the past. You might of noticed that this road gave the former dictator a direct line of sight from his infamous balcony to the Colosseum. He used to march his troops up and down it all the time. In his mind he was connecting himself to that of the great ancient Romans. However, because of this road we are missing all of the Forum Pace and portions of other forums as well. So, of course, there are people who would love to see this road removed so that these archeological sites can be revealed.
There are a lot of residents that feel the loss of the road will cause more congestion in an already congested city. Currently on sundays, it is closed to traffic for the public to enjoy a peacefull walk in the forum area. I, as you probably can surmise, am for the removing of the road (It's to bumpy anyway).
Archeological preservation versus modernization has and always will be a problem in this city. During Mussolini's rule there used to be a road passing through the Arch of Constantine and then it was divided around the Meta Sudans fountain (built just after the Colosseum was finished). It was felt that this fountain was hindering the traffic and it was removed in 1936 and paved over. In the 80's they excavated the site.
Currently there are only two subway lines in Rome. A third has been planned. However, the Superintendant of Archeology of Rome denied the plans because they would destroy to many unexcavated ancient ruins.
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