The ruins are among Italy's most-visited tourist attractions
The ancient city of Pompeii has fallen into such disrepair that the Italian government has declared a "state of emergency" in a bid to save the ruins.
Ministers intend to appoint a special commissioner to oversee the site, and have earmarked extra funding for it.
According to analysts, the ruins have suffered from lack of investment, mismanagement, litter and looting.
Pompeii was buried by a volcanic eruption in AD79 and was not rediscovered until the 18th Century.
The volcanic debris preserved many of the city's buildings, frescos, silverware, mosaics and other artefacts.
But experts complain that the relics are now in danger.
"Every year at least 150 sq m (1,600 sq ft) of fresco and plasterwork are lost for lack of maintenance," Antonio Irlando, a regional councillor responsible for artistic heritage, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
"The same goes for stones: at least 3,000 pieces every year end up disintegrating," he said.
A look around the ancient city of Pompeii
The ruins are one of Italy's biggest tourist attractions, and the newly-elected government has decided to act.
"To call the situation intolerable doesn't go far enough," Reuters quoted Culture Minister Sandro Bondi as saying.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.