The effects of modern pollution as well as the ravages of centuries have led to the decay of many of Italy's outstanding monuments. Italy's financial woes and bureaucracy slow efforts to reverse this process. The restoration and financial problems confronting the salvaging of the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius are discussed. Two other monuments cited are Trajan's column and the Colosseum. The problems of saving the entire city of Venice are explained. The complexity of the flow or lack of flow of funds in Italy are illuminated. -- AATA