Historic Arch of Constantine Damaged by Violent Rome Storm

The Arch of Constantine, an ancient Roman monument near the Colosseum, was damaged by a violent storm in Rome. A lightning strike caused a block of stone to fall. Heavy rain and flooding also wreaked havoc on the Italian capital. Restoration efforts are underway.

The Arch of Constantine, a monumental ancient Roman arch adjacent to the Colosseum, sustained damage following a severe storm in Rome, a Reuters reporter confirmed on Tuesday. Constructed in the 4th century AD, the arch commemorates Emperor Constantine's victory over his rival Maxentius.

Standing 25 meters (82 feet) tall, the arch is situated in a bustling pedestrian area alongside the renowned Colosseum, a major attraction for tourists. "A lightning strike hit the arch right here, then hit the corner, and we observed this block of stone fall off," a tourist told Reuters, indicating a large slab that had crumbled to the ground.

Reuters video footage captured additional stones and rubble scattered around the monument as staff from the Colosseum Archaeological Park worked to gather them. The damage occurred amid a fierce thunderstorm that also uprooted trees, broke branches, and flooded several streets of the Italian capital.

A park spokesperson was unavailable for immediate comment. The Civil Protection agency reported that 60 millimeters (2.36 inches) of rain drenched central Rome within an hour, an amount typically expected over a month in autumn.

(With inputs from agencies.)