Darius Arya loves the rooftop terraces of Rome because they make you see the Eternal City’s monuments from ever new angles. Even after 18 years of living in Rome, the U.S.-born archaeologist and professor still gets excited every time he walks out the door, be it to lead an educational program for the American Institute for Roman Culture, which he co-founded in 2002, to film a TV show (such as “Under Italy,” broadcast on Rai 5), or to simply share the beauty of ancient Rome through live videos via his widely followed social media channels.

As an archeologist, historic preservation expert, and long-time resident of Rome, Arya is in a unique position to engage audiences far and wide with the issue he cares most about, which is one of the major challenges Rome faces today: the preservation of the city’s vast cultural heritage, constantly under threat due to underfunding and overtourism. There is, however, a lot to celebrate too, as Arya points out, with recent openings and renovation of historic sites and museums, and more private sponsors footing the bill.