Rome: The iconic Roman Colosseum was illuminated in shades of pink inspired by Jordan's ancient city of Petra as part of a cultural and tourism twinning initiative between the two UNESCO World Heritage sites, both listed among the New Seven Wonders of the World.

According to Jordan News Agency, Fares Breizat, chairman of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), hailed the twinning agreement as a landmark example of cross-cultural synergy, celebrating shared efforts to preserve and promote humanity's heritage on the global stage. He noted that Petra has already formalized or is in the process of formalizing similar agreements with other Wonders of the World, including Machu Picchu in Peru, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India, Chichen Itza in Mexico, and Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.

"These twinning partnerships create fertile ground for joint tourism marketing, cultural preservation, and international cooperation," Breizat said, adding that the authority is working to expand this global network.

Dr. Federica Rinaldi, director of the Colosseum and head of its cultural interpretation program, expressed her pride in the symbolic initiative. "This twinning is not only a cultural honor; it's also a meaningful step toward deepening academic and sustainable tourism collaboration," she said.

Alongside the illumination of the Colosseum, visited by some 14 million people annually, informational videos showcasing Petra will be continuously screened inside the Colosseum Museum, offering visitors a virtual glimpse of Jordan's rose-red city.