The minister of fine arts and culture, Francesco Rutelli, has announced that, in addition to 3 million already set aside, a further 800,000 has been allotted for the works necessary for the reopening of Neros palace, the Domus Aurea, which was summarily closed to the public in January 2006 having been found to be in danger of collapse.

The ministrys commissioner, Luciano Marchetti, and the archaeological soprintendente for Rome, Angelo Bottini, will work together on the project.

Works are due to start in spring 2007, and will involve waterproofing the monument, the removal of the gardens at present over it and the possible closure to traffic of the Viale Oppio. It is intended that, once the project is under way, visitors will be allowed access to the monument to see the works in progress.