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I’m always hesitant when new places in historical sites open to tourists. It is funny how the attention of the world has a tendency to destroy the things that i
by matthewfcarlson 5y ago
I’m always hesitant when new places in historical sites open to tourists. It is funny how the attention of the world has a tendency to destroy the things that it focuses on. On the one hand, how cool is it to see these amazing historical places. On the other, what beautiful things are ruined by being shared?
- carlob 5y agoThe Coliseum was used pretty much as a quarry for centuries: during the Middle Ages it was considered a symbol of the persecution of the Christian rather than an archeological site, as such it was OK to destroy it in order to collect precious marble to build churches. Right now it's pretty much at the center of a roundabout... There are lot of things in Rome that were studied and them left underground because it made no sense to expose them in a museum or just to the elements. The Coliseum, on the other hand, has always been above ground.
- brudgers 5y agoThe Flavian Amphitheater is already ruined. It has been a ruin for a very long time.
- LudwigNagasena 5y agoWhat’s the point of beautiful things if no one has access to them?
- DrSiemer 5y agoPreservation. Research. Also, it's not that beautiful, it's basically large crumbling catacombs without a ceiling. Visitors could already walk directly above them and see most of it.
- riquito 5y agoYou can't preserve without spending money, and the only practical way to get it is some form of, hopefully respectful, tourism
- umanwizard 5y agoWhat is the point of it being there if people can’t see it?
- DrSiemer 5y agoArcheologists and historians can see it. Mass tourism often does have a detrimental effect.
- simonh 5y agoI've visited the Flavian Amphitheatre with my kids a few years ago, and we walked over the Palatine Hill. It's an incredible site. It's also very well protected, they have spent many years preparing these areas for access to ensure they are preserved. These are incredibly valuable cultural artefacts, but their value is in their ability to inspire and educate. That can only be done through access. Restricting that access, limiting who is allowed to be educated and inspired inevitably means limiting it's value to society. This is our heritage, not just that of a small privileged elite.