The Roman Colosseum once again recovered part of its original structure thanks to a restoration project that combined archeology, technological innovation and materials specially developed to respect the historical construction of the monument.
A little over a month ago, the Colosseum Archaeological Park reopened the southern ambulatories of the amphitheater to the public, an area that had been affected for centuries by landslides, demolitions and earthquakes.
The intervention made it possible to restore the original geometry of the Colosseum and enable new spaces for visitors, in a work coordinated by the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo. The project included the excavation and resurfacing of the first and second corridors of the south façade, sectors that had collapsed between the 6th and 7th centuries.
One of the companies behind the restoration was Mapei, recognized worldwide for manufacturing chemical products for construction, which participated as a technical partner in the development of specific materials for a work with extremely demanding requirements.
“This project represents our contribution to the preservation and enhancement of historical heritage: the development of innovative products that respect tradition and are capable of responding to the specific needs of each intervention,” said Verónica Squinzi, CEO of Mapei.
One of the main challenges was finding materials compatible with a monument of enormous historical and architectural value. For this, the researchers worked on existing technologies, but replacing cement with alternatives more compatible with old constructions, such as NHL hydraulic lime and special hydraulic binders.
The development took approximately one year. The project needed a subfloor capable of offering performance similar to conventional products, but without using cement. In addition, the adhesive had to support the weight of the travertine slabs, be suitable for outdoors, have good deformability and minimize the risk of stains on the natural stone.
The project also involved solving one of the biggest problems with working with lime: its slower setting time. To compensate for this, a quick-setting adhesive was chosen that would balance the hardening process of the mortar without altering its compatibility with historical materials.
The restoration of the Colosseum is part of a series of international interventions in which Mapei participated by providing technical solutions for the preservation of cultural heritage. Among them are works carried out in the La Scala Theater, the Notre-Dame cathedral and different archaeological and museum projects around the world.
About Mapei
Recognized Italian company, leader in the manufacture of chemical products for construction, has been present in Argentina since 1999. The company has a plant in Escobar, where it also operates a Research and Development laboratory for additives and a reference training center for the industry. It is currently developing a new production plant in the province of Santiago del Estero. At the regional level, Mapei continues to consolidate its presence with the recent inauguration of a new headquarters in Santiago, Chile, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability in construction. More information at www.mapei.com
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