The Arch of Constantine, located near the Colosseum in Rome, was damaged by lightning on Tuesday during a violent storm that dumped torrential rain on the Italian capital, local authorities said on Wednesday.
“All the fragments (of the arch struck by lightning and which fell to the ground – Editor’s note) have been recovered and put in a safe place,” a spokeswoman for the Colosseum archaeological park told AFP.
“The assessment of the damage has already begun and analyses are continuing this morning,” she added.
This triumphal arch was erected in glory of Constantine in 315 AD to celebrate the emperor’s victory at the Battle of Ponte Milvio against his rival Maxentius.
Standing 25 metres tall, it is undergoing maintenance work that began on Monday. It is the largest of the three triumphal arches still preserved in Rome and located on the route of the triumphal processions, near the Colosseum.
After a hot and dry summer, Rome was hit by a sudden storm on Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by torrential rain, strong winds, thunder and lightning.
More than 80 millimeters of rain per square meter fell on the historic center, roughly the amount of rain recorded on average during an autumn month, according to the municipality of Rome.
Winds of 90 km/h brought down trees.
Experts say climate change is altering weather balances and increasing the number of extreme weather events.
“It is increasingly clear that the issue of climate change and its effect on our lives is now unavoidable,” commented Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri.
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