Experts from UNESCO are to visit the ancient city of Pompeii today to inspect recent damage to the site involving the collapse of four structures.
Three weeks ago the House of the Gladiators collapsed following torrential rain and on Tuesday, following further rainfall, it was announced that part of the garden wall of the House of the Moralist had collapsed. On Wednesday the upper parts of two more walls, one a partition on the via Stabiana and the other a part of the 鈥淪mall Lupanar鈥 or brothel. [This was not the famous frescoed brothel but a smaller structure which was not open to the public.] The Archaeological Superintendent of Pompeii said that the latest collapses did not involve buildings of artistic interest.
Ancient Pompeii, which was buried under ash when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. This means that its loss would be a 鈥渉armful impoverishment鈥 to the world. UNESCO inspectors have expressed their concern over maintenance at the site and they may be able to point out other buildings which are at risk there during today's visit.
Culture Minister Sandro Bondi has faced fierce criticism over the events at Pompeii and is holding urgent meetings to try to ascertain what can be done to preserve ancient buildings all over Italy.
