When in Rome

The once majestic mausoleum of Roman Emperor Augustus is to be spruced up and opened to the public in a bid to add a new must-see to the Eternal Citys tourist itinerary. The burial site, one of the most sacred monuments in ancient Rome, is the biggest circular mausoleum known to exist. Rome council officials say that the area surrounding the mausoleum must be revamped as well, with an underpass removing car traffic so that visitors can walk through gardens to a balcony overlooking the Tiber river. An international competition for plans to renovate the monument and its surroundings is already under way. The winner, who will oversee the 20-million-euro project, is due to be announced in November.