Tourists visiting Rome's ancient Colosseum will first make their way through metal detectors, X-ray machines, closed-circuit cameras and barriers because of a heightened threat of terrorism, officials said Friday. Most of the measures were added to the Colosseum about two weeks ago, said Liliana Ferraro, who oversees security for Rome's city council. The metal barriers are expected to go up next week around the monument's entrances and will help keep lines orderly and the illegal vendors away, Ferraro said. The extra security was not a response to a specific threat at the monument, which is Italy's most popular tourist destination and receives about 16,000 visitors a day, she said. "It's an appropriate precaution," she said.
| On the other hand, the Colosseum's seen barbarians before, hasn't it? |
When they come for the Colosseum, I predict a return of the lions/Christians afternoon entertaiments...with Uday Hussein the Caliph regally ensconced in the skybox... |
| The Romans didn't have metal detectors, but they seemed to know how to deal with people who brought in a hidden weapon ... |
|