One of the 7 wonders of the medieval world, the Colosseum is perhaps the most famous landmark in Rome

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Colosseum, Rome

One of the 7 wonders of the medieval world, the Colosseum is perhaps the most famous landmark in Rome.

One of the 7 wonders of the medieval world, the Colosseum is perhaps the most famous landmark in Rome. The Roman Colosseum has had an interesting history ever since its inception. Built by Jewish slaves under emperor Vespasian, it was completed and opened by his son emperor Titus in 80 AD and drew huge crowds even back then, with a capacity for 50000 spectators. The inauguration lasted 100 days, and involved lavish feasts amidst the gruesome slaughter of more than 5000 animals in sport. The Amphitheatrum Flavium, as it is called in Latin, was once the place in ancient Rome where gladiators fought for their lives, entertaining the emperor and crowds in the process who apparently weren’t grossed out by the violence. It became to be called Colosseum not because of its size, but because of the colossal statue of Nero nearby.

Explore the Colosseum to find out about the brave gladiators and hungry beasts who fought for fame and glory in the arena till blood sports were outlawed in 523 AD. The exhibition days followed a set schedule. Animals shipped from all across the Roman empire were paraded and entered into fight during the mornings. Elaborate executions of criminals also took place in the Colosseum, which were usually planned as a recreation of scenes from mythology in which wild beasts killed humans. The day ended with the raw and brutal gladiator games, often fought with wooden swords and blunt blades to drag out the violence. Men and women including dwarves entered into combat amidst loud cheering, tearing into each other till death at times.

The Colosseum was also the ground of the Naval Games called Naumachia, during which the arena would be filled with water. Set to resemble historical combat, gladiators in model boats would fight each other. Not much is known about the mechanism for filling and draining water, as the underground of the Colosseum has been modified since.

The Hypogeum - underground network of chambers and cells connected by tunnels under the arena was a sort of engineering marvel built by emperor Domitian. The hypogeum has provisions to keep animals, animal trainers, gladiators, stage workers in dingy, stifling conditions. It had mechanisms to hoist performers onto the arena and change the scenery quickly through trap doors.

The Colosseum is built of travertine stone and has three levels of arches. The seating area - cavea, had three hierarchical tiers for the different social classes – nobility including soldiers, wealthy citizens, and plebeians, slaves and foreigners. It has been damaged over the last 1900 years by earthquakes, invaders and pollution, so recently restoration efforts have been made to get it as close as possible to its original state. It is illuminated in the evenings to highlight the beauty of the Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns, and hosts concerts of world famous performers from time to time.

The easiest way to reach the Colosseum is by taking Metro B to the Colosseum stop. There are also buses plying to the Colosseum.

Only the bravest would endeavor to stand in the never ending queue at the ticket counter at the Colosseum. It is always advisable to pre-book tickets, but if that is not possible, then buy tickets at the Palatine Hill which would include entry to the Forum and Colosseum. Alternately, buy a Roma Pass and tick off the Colosseum on it.


Hours

Sun

8:30

15:30

Mon

8:30

15:30

Tue

8:30

15:30

Wed

8:30

15:30

Thu

8:30

15:30

Fri

8:30

15:30

Sat

8:30

15:30

About Colosseum

 Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma, Italy

 +39 06 3996 7700

 archeoroma.beniculturali.it

Colosseum and Nearby Sights on Map

Arch of Constantine

The Arch of Constantine is a 4th century triumphal arch which was built to commemorate the victory of Constantine I, the first Christian emperor, over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD

San Pietro in Vincoli

The church of San Pietro in Vincoli or Saint Peter in Chains was built in the 5th century to house the chains (vincoli) that held St

Monte Celio

The Celian Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome

Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano

The Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano is an early Roman Catholic basilica dedicated to Pope St Clement, with a history dating back to the 1st century

San Clemente

A great little cathedral to visit, lovingly looked after by Irish Dominicans

Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill contains the ruins of several large villas that belonged to wealthy Roman families

Roman Forum

Occupying the valley between the Palatine and the Capitoline Hill, the Roman Forum was the political, religious and commercial nucleus of ancient Rome

Santo Stefano Rotondo

Unusual and fascinating round church and the national church in Rome of Hungary

San Stefano Rotondo

Dating from the 5th Century this is believed to be the largest round church in the world

Terme di Caracalla

Inaugurated in 217 A