Measuring 60 by 180 meters, the Basilica Ulpia was one of the largest buildings in ancient Rome. Only remains of the basilica, which has three entrances, have been preserved. It was built together with the other buildings of Trajan’s Forum between 107 and 113 under Emperor Trajan.
The work was sponsored by Russian tycoon and Putin friend Alisher Usmanov, who provided 1.5 million euros for the restoration. His name is on a sign under Trajan’s Column as a patron who made the restoration possible. This embarrasses the church of Rome. An official celebration at the end of the restoration was foregone because of the controversial sponsor, the Roman daily “La Repubblica” reported on Thursday.
In recent years, Usmanov donated 500,000 euros for the renovation of the Capitoline Museum in Rome and 200,000 euros for the restoration of the Dioscuri fountain on the Quirinal Hill. During the war in Ukraine, Usmanov’s villa in Sardinia was confiscated.
