PalenQ

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/01/wo...pagewanted=all

I've always thought that the busy major thoroughfare running right by the Colosseum and ancient Roman Forum was a light on the atmosphere of such an archaeological area and I guess Rome's mayor does as well.

What do you think - it seems a valid point that the road is an essential connector that if done away with will cause monumental traffic snarls but still for world-class sites like the Colossseum and Forum I think having those in a more serene location is great - and I've always thought the Schlock allowed in front of the colosseum - especially all the vendors selling bird seed, fake birds, etc and faux gladiators posing for pictures for a fee with tourists was tacky as well - not having been to Rome for a few years I wonder if that tacky things are also still allowed?

What do you think about the Mayor of Rome's plans?

hetismij2

Private raffic has already been banned hasn't it?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...colosseum-road

Has to be a good thing, if only to protect the Colosseum.

kybourbon

Didn't we have this thread last week?

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-imperiali.cfm

PalenQ

kybourbon - I missed it - surprisingly but I guess it had a short life and went to Fodor's Black Hole - thanks for the uptick!

adrienne

The NY Times article said that the ban would be for "private traffic" but the fodor's link that kybourbon posted mentions a taxi ban. That would not be good for mobility impaired people who want a look at the Colosseum, even if they cannot climb the levels or who cannot walk far to get there.

I've been on that street when there was no traffic and it was delightful, although a long walk home after a tiring day.

kybourbon

It's already closed every Sunday and has been for a long time.

PalenQ

Are those fake gladiators still there demanding money quite forcefully IME for anyone who takes their picture and more if with someone else?

That type of schlock for me has always been hard to take right out front of such a place - and all the trinket sellers - are they still there or have they been cleaned out?

Thanks - I'll see when I come this January but am curious now?

PalenQ

anyone been at Colosseo lately and can report whether all that tacky stuff with fake gladiators and bird-seed sellers, trinket dealers - is all that crapola still allowed? Curious. Thanks for any insights.