A powerful storm struck Rome recently, causing significant damage to the Arch of Constantine, an ancient Roman monument near the Colosseum.
Storm Caught Metorologists Off Guardd
The Arch, which dates back to the 4th century AD, was struck by lightning during the storm, leading to the detachment of several large stones from the structure.
The Archaeological Park of the Colosseum confirmed the lightning strike to Reuters, adding that the storm was particularly intense. Rome experienced an hour of torrential rain equivalent to an entire month's worth of typical autumn rainfall.
The storm, which caught meteorologists off guard, led to flash floods in the city center, where streets were quickly inundated and blocked by fallen trees and debris, according to Digi24.
Experts Assessing Restoration
Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, described the storm as "unprecedented" due to its intensity and the fact that it was so concentrated in specific areas of the city, particularly the historic center.
He compared it to a recent storm in Sicily that sank the yacht of British billionaire Mike Lynch. Gualtieri emphasized the unexpected nature of the storm, which overwhelmed parts of the city in a matter of minutes.
The Arch of Constantine, a 25-meter-tall triumphal arch built to commemorate Emperor Constantine’s victory over his rival Maxentius, is one of Rome’s most famous landmarks.
It stands in the same pedestrian area as the Colosseum, attracting millions of tourists each year. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the lightning strike and described the dramatic moment when pieces of stone fell to the ground.
The fallen stones have been collected and secured, and experts are now assessing the best way to restore the monument.
