For two years, from 2014 to 2016, an “ancient Greek theater” operated near Arcugnano, Italy, before it was found to be fake. Its creator, Franco Malosso, has now been sentenced to 28 months in prison after a 10-year legal battle.
TripAdvisor reviews of the “amphitheater” were highly positive. “An enchanting place,” one visitor wrote. “A world beyond space and time,” another commented, while a third described it as “unique on the planet.”
The tiered seating, which Malosso claimed had been built by ancient Greeks more than 2,000 years ago, was actually constructed by modern workers and machinery. Newly quarried stone from Puglia and cement were used, while polystyrene was even placed inside a retaining wall.
Malosso had hired a construction company to build seating and steps designed to look aged, as well as plaster statues.
During the two years the “theater” operated, visitors were charged between €12 and €40 for admission, while private tours cost up to €600.
The fake theater was located in a protected woodland area in the Berici Hills, outside Arcugnano. In October 2016, local authorities discovered the site and notified cultural heritage officials.
The authorities completed their inspection in just one day, as the structure was clearly modern.
One of Malosso’s arguments in his defense was that the structure was so obviously fake that no reasonable person could have believed it was an authentic ancient monument.
Source: CNN
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