This is a group of three shots that I took for stitching into a panorama to show an end to end view of the interior of the Colosseum. Obviously the segment of the "arena" on the right has been restored. Just above that you will see a few rows of seats that have similarly been restored. The rest of it is more skeleton than body.

I understand why this is so; what we see here is original (for the most part) rather than just a modern reconstruction. But still I can't help but feel that the reconstructed parts of the seats in particular make it harder rather than easier to imagine what it was like. Or more precisely, the fact that only a very limited block was restored does.

Interestingly in 2015 Italy had earmarked €18 million to rebuild the arena floor in total. I saw no indication of this being undertaken and there have been some passionate articles written against the idea . And of course it would consign the currently visible understage area back to the dark rather than allowing visitors to see the entire "behind the scenes" view.

There was even talk of opening the Colosseum up to performances again though that seems fanciful without a full or significant restoration of the seating as well, and to date nobody has suggested that.

Oh, the apology?

My fellow photographer on this trip was making an art form of shooting scaffolding. (There were many opportunities...) As you can see over on the top left, I've stolen his thunder a little.

While I don't see any sign of a major reconstruction, preservation is an ongoing process.

Are you not entertained?