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Why was Pompeii declared a state of emergency site by the Italian government in 2008?

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Ruins of ancient Pompeii with stone columns and walls in the foreground, and Mount Vesuvius rising in the background under a partly cloudy sky. — Pompeii Mount Vesuvius rising up over the ruins of the ancient Roman city Pompeii.

In July 2008, the Italian government declared a one-year state of emergency for the Pompeii archaeological site due to ongoing concerns regarding its preservation.1

Despite previous conservation efforts, the site faced persistent threats from environmental degradation, the impact of tourist traffic, and destructive vegetation. Furthermore, the site suffered from significant issues related to mismanagement, vandalism, and the deterioration of protective measures—such as concrete roofs applied in the 1950s—that had become difficult to maintain.1

By declaring this state of emergency, the government appointed a special commissioner to oversee the site, prioritizing the restoration and protection of the invaluable archaeological evidence before it was lost. This action eventually paved the way for the Great Pompeii Project, an initiative launched in 2012 to further restore and secure the city's features.1