Madonna plans to rent the Great Theater in Pompeii for her birthday party.
The “Material Girl” singer celebrates her 66th birthday on Friday (16.08.24) and is reportedly planning a party at the Roman city’s 2,200-year-old amphitheater, which was covered in volcanic ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.
La Repubblica quoted Carmine Lo Sapio, the mayor of Pompeii, as saying he had been contacted about the event and said: “We are ready to welcome the singer,” while her Italian fan club said in a Facebook post that they were “preparing” for her arrival.
It is believed that Madonna – whose net worth is estimated at $850 million – will have to pay €30,000 to rent the historic venue for the party at the ancient site. As the Times reports, a US event company has taken over the organization.
A police spokesperson told the outlet that officers would monitor security outside the park, but it was still unclear if the site would remain closed to visitors that day.
The venue has not yet confirmed the news and the singer herself has not yet commented on the news.
The historic landmark was built into a natural hill in the second century BC and was one of the first permanent stone theaters in the Roman Empire, with around 5,000 seats for spectators at the time.
Nowadays it is mainly used for concerts, operas and theatre performances and has hosted big names such as Pink Floyd and David Gilmour.
It is not uncommon for the “Like A Virgin” singer to throw lavish parties on her birthday; in the past she has already hosted the celebrations in Noto, Sicily and in Borgo Egnazia.
This time, 500 guests are expected at the lavish event, and the list is said to include A-list celebrities Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom.
However, some have asked why the Queen of Pop
Michele Campisi, general secretary of the cultural heritage association Italia Nostra, said: “Why does Madonna have to go to Pompeii? Isn’t there a more beautiful beach she could use?”
“30,000 euros is absurd. It’s like giving away Pompeii.”
Madonna wants to rent historic site in Pompeii for birthday celebrations
