Colosseum

WHY VISIT THE COLOSSEUM

The Colosseum is the most iconic monument in Rome. It is made up of eighty arches and four architectural orders, one for each level. Inside, the great oval that housed the arena, which had a wooden base covered with a thick layer of sand, hid a dense network of galleries that wound through the underground, where wild beasts and all the equipment were kept. By visiting the Colosseum, you can experience the thrill of being in a place that has been the symbol of the Eternal City for two thousand years and is now a destination for most tourists visiting the capital. The Colosseum is located in a very representative area of the city for its historical findings and ruins. Not far away, there are countless other monuments that will allow you to relive and understand the magnificence of ancient Rome.

A LITTLE BIT OF COLOSSEUM HISTORY

Construction of the Colosseum began in 72 AD under Emperor Vespasian. The building would later become the first great Roman amphitheater. Vespasian was responsible for the first two floors, which then grew under other emperors, Titus and Domitian. This amphitheater, called by the ancient Romans "Amphitheatrum Flavium" and famous throughout the world, underwent various restorations, modifications, and damages over the centuries. In 217 AD, a fire damaged the upper part and the building reopened only in 222 AD. Other fires attacked the Colosseum, requiring further repairs and restorations. The earthquakes of 1231 and 1349 severely damaged its structures, and the Colosseum was eventually abandoned in a ruined state. The first restorations began in the early 1800s and continued throughout the century. The last demolitions took place between 1933 and 1936, and in 1938 and 1939, the underground structures were completely excavated. In ancient times, the Colosseum was the venue for gladiator shows, where they engaged in bloody fights. In addition to real professional gladiators, prisoners and even free men had to fight, and huge crowds attended these events.

WHAT IS THE COLOSSEUM TODAY

The Colosseum is probably the most famous building of Ancient Rome. Originally called the Flavian Amphitheater, it later took the name Colosseum both because of its imposing size and its proximity to a colossal statue of Nero. Since 1980, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this imposing amphitheater has also been included among the seven wonders of the modern world. It is the undisputed symbol of the city of Rome worldwide. Today, the monumental Colosseum welcomes a large number of visitors who can explore it on two levels, enjoying fascinating panoramic and internal views.

CURIOSITIES ABOUT THE COLOSSEUM

Did you know that "naumachiae" used to take place inside the Colosseum? These were performances simulating the most famous historical naval battles. To achieve this, the amphitheater was flooded with water through complex hydraulic systems, real ships and actors (the naumacharii) took part in the fights. This required very high costs that few other amphitheaters in other cities could afford, so similar shows were rare. Did you know that during the period when the Colosseum was a ruined site left abandoned, much of the material it was built with was transported away and used in the construction of other important buildings, such as the famous St. Peter's Basilica? Of all the materials originally used to build the Colosseum, about a third remains today.

HOW CAN I VISIT THE COLOSSEUM?

One way of accessing the Colosseum is by purchasing an open-date ticket in advance. By booking your visit date online, you can choose your preferred visiting time at the reserved Roman Forum ticket office, avoiding queues at the Colosseum. Remember that the Colosseum ticket includes entrance to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum and is valid for 2 days. A very special way to visit the Colosseum is the evening tour: during certain periods of the year, special guided tours are organized after closing time, an unmissable experience! Among the guided tours usually offered, there is also the possibility to visit areas generally closed to the public, such as the 3rd and 4th rings of the Colosseum and the undergrounds. For those wishing to visit the main sights of the capital (including the Colosseum), it is possible to book a guided tour of Imperial Rome, organized partly by bus and partly on foot. Of course, you can also book a private guide, dedicated exclusively to you, to accompany you on your discovery of the Flavian Amphitheater. It is worth noting that all these types of visits include priority access to the site.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

The famous Colosseum is located in a historically and artistically significant part of the city, where you can also visit important sites like the Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, or the Domus Aurea. If you are fascinated by Ancient Rome's ruins, don't miss other significant places such as the Baths of Caracalla, the Catacombs, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, the Pantheon, or the Ara Pacis. You can use the Rome Map to help you explore these fascinating places. If you are in Rome, you cannot miss visiting Vatican City. Inside, you will be enchanted by the immense artistic heritage of the Vatican Museums, where you can admire St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel with its frescoes and Michelangelo's world-famous Last Judgment. You can also visit the Vatican Gardens. Inside another beautiful place, Villa Borghese, it’s possible to visit the Borghese Gallery, home to artworks from the 15th to the 17th century by artists such as Caravaggio and Bernini. Other museums worth visiting include the Capitoline Museums and the National Roman Museum; along the ancient Appian Way, you can visit the Villa of the Quintilii, and along the Tiber, you cannot miss the Castel Sant’Angelo museum. If you want to venture a bit outside the city center, you can visit Villa d’Este in Tivoli or enjoy a walk in the beautiful village of Castel Gandolfo on Lake Albano.

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