Bulgari to fund refurbishment of Rome's Spanish Steps

ROME, Italy - Luxury jeweler Bulgari answered the Italian government's appeal for help in financing a renovation of Rome's famous Spanish Steps. Bulgari, which was bought in 2011 by French luxury giant LVMH, will put 1.5 million euros ($2 million) towards the refurbishment which will begin in 2015 and last two years, Rome's mayor Ignazio Marino said.

The Spanish Steps refurbishment will be "the special gift from Bulgari to its city" to mark the jeweller's 130th anniversary, the company's chief executive Jean-Christophe Babin told a press conference in Rome.

The 18th century Baroque-style stairway has 136 steps.

The government has already called on the private sector to help restore other UNESCO monuments: in Rome, luxury shoemaker Tod's is financing works at the Colosseum, while high-end fashion house Fendi is expected to refurbish the Trevi Fountain.