Touring The Colosseum in Rome
Exploring the Most Famous Landmark in Italy
Now included on the new list of the World's Seven Wonders, the Roman Colosseum still defines a people and an era. A must see for any traveler's list.
The most famous of Italy’s landmarks, the Roman Colosseum has stood the test of time. You’ll know you’re in Rome the moment you see the dome-shaped structure. A place of history and inspiration that has remained a vital part of the Roman psyche since construction completed in 80AD.
Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre in honour of Vespasian, the massive Colosseum could accommodate 50, 000 spectators to watch the bloody combats between gladiators and savage beasts.
Three levels of arches support the exterior walls, once adorned by marble statues long since disappeared. In ancient times the upper levels measured roughly 15 storeys tall and supported over 200 masts that secured a large canvas to shield spectators from the sun. Today very little of this remains save a few of the original entrance arches that allowed spectators quick exit from the Colosseum.
Visiting the Roman Colosseum
Take time to explore the interior of the Colosseum. Try to get there early to beat the crowds and the heat of the day. Exploring this massive structure could take all day.
Notice that the arches contain holes making the whole building resemble a giant block of Swiss cheese. During a building phase, construction workers mined the ore contained in the walls for other constructions throughout the city. The idea of the day was out with the old, in with the new.
A true marvel of architectural genius, the engineers of the Colosseum divided the interior into three distinct parts each serving a specific purpose. A wooden floor once covered the arena. Covered in sand, the floor soaked the blood spilled during battle and when flooded with water, staged sea battles. Today you’ll see directly into the passageways it once concealed underneith.
Both the animals used in battles and the gladiators, essentially prisoners of war or slaves sold into gladiator schools, and on the rare occasion volunteers, remained in cages below the floor before battle. Using a complicated set of pulleys, the animals – including lions, tigers and other exotic animals brought to Rome from around the world – were hoisted onto the floor and freed into battle.
The Colosseum and the Fall of the Roman Empire
Seating divided among wealth lines. Knights sat in the lower tiers closer to the action while affluent citizens took the mid range seats and the remaining population sat in the highest tiers. Today you can still see the remnants of the Podium, a broad terrace reserved for emperors, senators as well as other important people.
Once such an important structure in the lives of the Romans, after the fall of the Empire the structure went to ruins. Eventually exotic plants invaded the building, transported inadvertently with the animals that fought in the bloody combats.
The Colosseum you see in modern Rome is but a fraction of its original splendour. It has suffered damage from earthquakes and now pollution from cars threatens it further. And though the view of the Colosseum as you emerge from the subway takes your breath away, the constant vibration from the metro does nothing to preserve one of the New Seven World Wonders.
How To Get To The Colosseum
Take the blue metro line B to the colosseo station. The Colosseum is located at 700, Piazza del Coloesso. It’s open from 9a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from March to October and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from November to February. Entrance costs around 10 Euros (US $15.00) depending on whether you take a tour. Solo visits cost less.
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