Italian officials are blocking McDonald’s from building a restaurant near the Baths of Caracalla, which dates back to the third century, according to Fox News.
Alberto Bonisoli, of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, announced the decision this week on Facebook to prohibit the fast food chain from putting up the Golden Arches near the archaeological area:
Avevo già espresso la mia contrarietà ad un fast food nell'area archeologica delle Terme di #Caracalla, vi informo che il Mibac ha provveduto ad annullare l'autorizzazione
Posted by Alberto Bonisoli on Wednesday, July 31, 2019
“Already expressed my opposition to a fast food in the archaeological area of Caracalla Terme,” he wrote. “I inform you that the cultural ministry revoked authorization.”
Rome’s Mayor Virginia Raggi also tweeted out her opinion that “the wonders of Rome must be protected…”
Avanti con @_MiBAC per stop costruzione fast food nell'area archeologica delle Terme di Caracalla. Le meraviglie di Roma vanno tutelate.
— Virginia Raggi (@virginiaraggi) July 31, 2019
Fox News said the chain had hoped to build an 8,600-square-foot restaurant near the baths, Colosseum, and other ancient sites of historic significance.
McDonald’s currently has 600 restaurants in Italy, with 51 of those locations near the capital, including by landmarks such as the Vatican, Piazza di Spagna, and the Piazza Navona.
