Colosseum Renovations Set To Begin, Rome Attraction Covered In Scaffolding (PHOTOS)

The Colosseum in Rome is sporting a scaffolded look this fall while awaiting renovations to its exterior. Work recently began on a three-year project that will clean the site, rebuild the exterior arches and reportedly open 25 percent more of the Colosseum's tunnels and cages to tourists.

Tod's, Italy's luxury shoe brand, is footing the 25 million euro cost of the project -- that's 33 million dollars! -- in exchange for "promotional opportunities." The restoration should be complete by 2015.