Rome to replace famous cobblestones from congested streets

Rome's famous cobblestone streets are to be ripped up and replaced with asphalt.

Historical charm has given way to modern practicality as 70 of the Italian capital's streets are earmarked for a new surface, reports the Telegraph.

The revamp, set to begin later this year, is intended to ease Rome's notorious traffic congestion.

Every day the cobblestones are battered by cars, trucks and other vehicles.

They are repaired by hand: an expensive and time-consuming undertaking that authorities have long complained about.

The iconic cobblestones, laid in the 16th century, will not be leaving the city though. Rather, they will be re-laid across 110 pedestrian streets, including near the city’s famous Spanish Steps.

"This is something that has never been done before," said Rome’s mayor, Virginia Raggi.

“They [the cobblestones] are an essential part of our history.”

As Roberto Botta, a senior official with Rome city council, outlines, “for every cobblestone that we remove from one road, we will be re-laying them in another.”