Japanese Tycoon steps in to restore Rome's pyramid

An ancient massive marble pyramid built as a mausoleum for a Roman dignitary needs £22m for restoration. The structure is grimy from traffic fumes and festooned with weeds and bushes growing from the cracks between its enormous stone blocks. 

The 118ft-high monument was built as the burial chamber for a Roman magistrate, Gaius Cestius.It was constructed following Rome's conquest of Egypt, which initiated a fashion for all things Egyptian.It was a must-see sight during the Grand Tour and inspired Shelley and, a century later, Thomas Hardy.

Yuzo Yagi, a Japanese fashion business tycoon, has agreed to donate one million euros for the restoration of the 2,000-year-old monument, which forms part of Rome's ancient walls and overlooks the Protestant Cemetery, the burial place of Shelley and Keats.

Earlier this week Gianni Alemanno, the mayor of Rome, called for the project to be brought forward because of concerns over the state of the former gladiatorial arena.  The project will include efforts to determine whether, as legend has it, there are secret chambers built into the pyramid.

"His dream is to leave a mark in our country. Last year, he visited the pyramid and was struck by how remarkable it was," said Rita Paris, who manages the monument.