Following a three-year restoration project, the most visited monument in Italy shines with all its splendor. The revamp was sponsored by entrepreneur Diego Della Valle, owner of the Tod's luxury brand, and supported by a policy of tax incentives implemented by the government of Matteo Renzi. During the reopening ceremony, the Italian prime minister said: "This is not only a great restoration project, it also exemplifies what Italy wants to offer to Europe: the recovery of our cultural identity." According to Rossella Rea, director of the monument, the exterior arches, columns, capitals, and pilasters are back to show "all the colors of its time, from gold to the red of the printed numbers at the entrance, from dark brown to the black of the oxalate patina applied for its conservation, […] the contrast between black and gold, between dirt and light, is obvious." As for the restoration of the entire arena, there were some disagreements. According to an article published by the Spanish newspaper El País: "experts who were consulted thought that the restoration could negatively affect the structure of the monument. But Italy's Minister of Culture, Dario Franceschini, appeared determined to go ahead. Franceschini used the opportunity of the presentation of the Colosseum's revamp project to announce that: "The decision to cover the entire arena of the Colosseum has already been taken and will cost 18 million euros. Once the arena is completed, the place will be even more beautiful. Tourists will be able to admire the Colosseum from the center of the arena, and the place will be able to host cultural events of the highest level."