Experts are repairing a damaged section of the Trevi fountain and assessing the overall level of restoration required, which the city's mayor Gianni Alemanno believes could cost €2.5 million.

The damage - probably caused by freezing winter weather - may have weakened parts of the monument, according to the culture superintendent Umberto Broccoli. In June several marble leaves on a column to the left of the baroque fountain became dislodged.

Citing the recent corporate sponsorship of the Colosseum by Italian shoe firm Tod’s, Alemanno appealed to entrepreneurs around the world to become involved in sponsoring the restoration of Roman monuments.

Restoration has also begun on Valadier’s Wall near the panoramic Pincio terrace overlooking Piazza del Popolo, after nine metres of the early 19^th-century structure collapsed on 22 August. Once again culture officials blame a harsh winter, followed by a blistering hot summer, for causing an outer layer of brickwork to detach.

There are also growing concerns over the state of the city's Aurelian Walls, which were built between 271 AD and 275 AD. Broccoli claims the ancient walls require a restoration package of about €75 million, which could possibly come from private sponsors in exchange for advertising.