Colosseum gets a sponsor

The Italian Ministry of Culture has announced that a 25-million euro ($35-million Cdn) restoration of the Colosseum will begin this fall, after luxury shoemaker Tod's agreed to fund it.

Italyput out a call for sponsorship last July, saying it could not afford to scrub and repair the crumbling building itself.

The site of gladiator games in ancient Rome, it has suffered as a result of pollution and poor restorations in the past. Only 35 per cent of the ancient facility is now open to the public.