City authorities have begun removing the iconic umbrella pine trees that have long framed the ceremonial avenue leading to the Colosseum after a series of collapses that left three visitors injured, prompting urgent safety measures in one of Italy’s most popular tourist districts.
Work crews were seen last week cutting down several of the historic pines along Via dei Fori Imperiali, the broad avenue linking the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia, after stability tests found that at least 12 of the 36 trees inspected were unstable and at risk of falling, while 24 were either considered secure or required further checks.
Rome plants new pine trees along Via di San Gregorio near the Colosseum pic.twitter.com/5N3MKIhWTA
— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) April 9, 2024
The decision follows a spate of collapses earlier this year: three large pines toppled along the avenue in January and early February, slightly injuring three pedestrians and prompting authorities to close the scenic road, often packed with tourists and locals.
The area has 54 historic pines, many of them believed to be around 120 years old. City officials said the trees have become increasingly fragile, weakened by a combination of age, long-term urban stress, extreme weather such as heat and heavy rainfall, and an invasive pest known as the Pine Tortoise Scale, which has ravaged pine populations across Rome in recent years.
Rome plants new pine trees along Via di San Gregorio near the Colosseum pic.twitter.com/5N3MKIhWTA
— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) April 9, 2024
Rome officials aim to reopen part of the avenue to pedestrians from Monday as further safety checks are carried out on the remaining trees. “The removed pines will be replaced with specimens of the same species, of suitable size and age,” the statement said.
The city’s actions come against a backdrop of broader efforts to manage and preserve Rome’s historical and natural treasures. In late 2025, the Colosseum Archaeological Park opened the restored “Commodus Passage,” a once‑secret underground tunnel that allowed Roman emperors to access the amphitheatre unseen — a rare enhancement to visitor experiences at the landmark. For now, tourists continue to flock to the Colosseum and surrounding ancient sites, even as changes to the streetscape around them are underway.
