Years of neglect, an immigration crisis, crippling corruption: Birthplace of modern civilisation...

Rome is on the verge of collapse, warn city leaders


'We need a miracle from the lord above to emerge in good shape', says city leader

That's the warning given by Giancarlo Cremonesi, the city’s Chamber of Commerce president, who says the Eternal City is at crisis point after years of neglecting its world famous historical landmarks, an immigration crisis and crippling corruption.

“Rome is on the verge of collapse. It is unacceptable that a major city which calls itself developed can find itself in such a state of decay." Mr Cremonesi said. “The prayers of the pope will not be enough. Here we need a miracle from the lord above for Rome to emerge in good shape.”


The Trevi Fountain has been undergoing restoration work since last summer

With a population of 2.8m people, Rome is one of the biggest cities in Europe and boasts some of the world’s most popular tourist attractions from ancient empire and its years as the centre of Western Christianity.

The cash-strapped Italian government, which is only just emerging from the longest recession since the Second World War, appealed to private companies last year to help it preserve landmarks such as the Colosseum and the Trevi fountain.

“Everybody moans but nobody offers any solutions. The quality of life has really gone down. I’m sorry to say it, but I just want to leave Rome and move somewhere else.”

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Roma wasn't built in a day, and it looks like her much needed overhaul will take a lot longer, too.

Arrivederci, Roma!