How crowdfunding could see Nero’s villa re-emerge into Rome’s sunlight

Nero’s grandiose villa in Rome is slowly emerging from centuries of neglect. But the final push to fully open up the Domus Aurea to visitors will require some fiddly financial arrangements, in the form of crowdfunding

With the Italian government strapped for cash, Rome is becoming increasingly creative about how it preserves its heritage. Since 2014, companies funding restoration projects have been offered tax breaks via the Art Bonus scheme. Luxury label Tod’s bankrolled the Colosseum’s current restoration, while Fendi, better known for fur than philanthropy, picked up the tab for the Trevi Fountain’s refurb. But the site of Domus Aurea, Nero’s fabled House of Gold, is taking a different route – crowdfunding.

So far, the donations amount to €3,685 from 75 people. Not bad... but the rescue project has been costed at €31 million. Hungarian archaeologist, Mihaela Iaslau, who works at the site, hopes that by raising awareness in this way, a sponsor might be found. He says: “Crowdfunding is a kind of advertising to attract some private investment.”