Sign up for Simon Calder’s free travel email to receive expert advice and money-saving discounts
Get Simon Calder’s travel email
Pompeii officials have dismissed claims that Madonna planned to throw a “mega party” during the excavations at the site, saying the rumours were “unfounded” after the reports sparked outrage among heritage experts.
This week, reports circulated that Madonna would host a birthday party dinner in Italy, inviting 500 guests to dinner at the Great Theater, the 2,200-year-old amphitheater at the archaeological site of Pompeii.
The restored theater, which was built around the middle of the second century BC, sometimes hosts theater and music performances.
However, representatives of the Pompeii Archaeological Park released a statement this week regarding the rumors, saying they were unfounded.
“Regarding the rumors circulating in the press these days about a ‘mega-party’ of an international celebrity with 500 guests at the excavations of Pompeii and about an alleged rent of 30,000 euros for the Great Theater, the Archaeological Park clarifies that these are unfounded reports,” the translated press release states.
The rumors made headlines earlier this week. Media reported that an American event company had booked the UNESCO World Heritage site for Madonna’s 66th birthday on Friday for a mere 30,000 euros.
Italian newspaper The Republic According to various media, Carmine Lo Sapio, the mayor of Pompeii, said he had been contacted about the event and said: “We are ready to welcome the singer.”
The Pompeii archaeological site has since denied the rumors, but not before the claims sparked an outcry from heritage conservation authorities, who have criticized the use of public historical and cultural sites.
Michele Campisi, general secretary of the Italia Nostra cultural heritage association, asked: “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,” he added. The times.
Rosanna Carrieri, president of cultural advocacy group Mi Riconosci, said the space had been used for events such as fashion shows, but warned against using the venue as a “backdrop” for “exclusive” events.
Madonna, who has Italian ancestry on her father’s side, was rumored to arrive at the port of Marina di Stabia and from there be taken on a 15-minute drive to Pompeii, where she would reportedly don a dress designed especially for the occasion by Italian fashion designer Francesco Scongamilgio, according to the outlet.
An unnamed police spokesman said The times they were not sure what was going on with the historic site, but added that officials would ensure security outside the park.
The heritage site is under the special autonomy of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, a decentralized body of the Italian Ministry of Culture that preserves, maintains and promotes the site’s public use, according to the park’s website.
The once prosperous city of Pompeii, near Naples, was flooded by volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, causing widespread destruction and killing thousands of Romans.
The theater was the first major public building to be completely cleared of the eruption’s debris.
News of Madonna’s alleged birthday party came as archaeologists announced they had discovered the remains of two more victims of the volcanic eruption that occurred nearly 2,000 years ago.
The skeletons of a man and a woman were found in a small bedroom of a villa that was being renovated at the time of the eruption.
The woman was lying on a bed, surrounded by gold, silver and bronze coins as well as gold and pearl jewelry, while the man was lying at the foot of the bed.
The Independent has asked representatives of Madonna and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii for comment.
For more travel news and tips, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast
