THE COLOSSEIUM - ROME, ITALY

THE COLOSSEUM

ROME, ITALY

THE COLOSSEUM

PIAZZA DEL COLOSSEO, 1

00184 ROMA, ITALY

39 06 3996 7700 Phone

http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/en/archaeological-site/colosseum

I think the Colosseum is a wonder of ancient Roman architecture.  The Amphitheatre that was first built in A.D. 72 and inaugurated by Titus in A.D. 80 was the seen of many week long bloody combat battles between gladiators and wild animals.  With a seating capacity of 50,000 this was a place where Romans spent all day eating, gambling and screaming for blood.  The stories these ancient walls could tell would be amazing.  Fighting until death between animals, man vs animal and man vs man are legendary.  It is said that many defeated combatants might have their lives spared if they put up a good fight and had the admiration of the crowd.  Centuries after the battles within the Colosseum walls it was used as a quarry and its rich marble facing was stripped away to build palaces and churches.  The Colosseum is an architectural wonder.  Everything including plumbing, bathrooms, lifts and details of the stairways was well planned.  The steep steps within the Colosseum were made small to accommodate the short height of the Romans.  To exit the Colosseum there were large walkways downward that allowed the 50,000 guests to exit in minutes.  This was a place where Romans came to enjoy a day.  They cooked in the stands, partied, slept, gambled, ate and hung out like a tailgate party.  Each level of the Colosseum was reserved depending on your class in society with the woman in the most upper sections separated from the men.  

Travel tip:  Visit the Colosseum in the early morning when the streets are empty and the crowds and hawkers are sleeping.  You will have a better experience and appreciate the site much more.

Recommend Viator.com to book your guided tour so you avoid the lines.  We took the Skip the Line Private Tour (Ancient Rome and Colosseum Art History Walking Tour).  Had our own guide for the day and did not wait in any lines.  Guide provided interesting facts and stories and really made seeing these sights much more interesting and fun.