Rome Colosseum, Province of Rome

Rome Colosseum - details and images

The Coliseum is probably the most impressive building of the Roman Empire. Known originally as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum was the largest building of the era. Monumental structure is now a ruin, but even so it is a very beautiful and impressive tourist attraction.

Emperor Vespasian, the first dynasty Flavian, began construction of the Colosseum in 72 AD d. Construction was completed in 80 AD the year after Vespasian's death. The huge amphitheater was built on the surface of an artificial lake that was part of a huge park built in command of Nero, in the center of Rome which included the Golden House (Domus Aurea) and the statue of Colossus - a huge statue of Nero that gives the actual name of the building.

The Coliseum is a huge structure, measuring 188m long, 156 wide and 48m high. Coliseum to receive around 55,000 spectators who could enter the premises through no less than 80 gates. The building has four floors, the last of which contained seats for the lower classes and women. The lowest of the floors have seats reserved for citizens of Rome's most famous figures. Was situated below ground level rooms and cages for wild animals and mechanical devices with which they could be raised cages for animals to come right into the arena.

The Coliseum was covered with an enormous awning called velarium. It was attached to some large poles on top of the Colosseum and anchored to the ground using ropes high. A team of nearly a thousand people was used to install velariumul.

Kings of the Coliseum used to give the public free games. These games were a symbol of prestige and power and were a way for the king to his great popularity. Games were held for a full day or even for several days in a row. It starts with comedy shows and presentations of exotic animals and ended by fighting to the death between animals and gladiators or between gladiators only. Gladiators were usually slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Sometimes free Romans and even Emperors took part in the fighting.

At the inauguration of the Colosseum games were held for one hundred days by Titus, Vespasian's successor to celebrate putting into the Colosseum. During these games over 9000 wild animals were killed.

The south of the Colosseum was demolished by an earthquake in 847. Parts of the building - including marble facade - were used to build the newest monuments, among which even St. Peter's Basilica.


Address: Piazza del Colosseo

Coliseum Ticket Prices:
FULL TICKET: € 15.50
For young people between 18 and 25 years: € 10.50
For people under 18 and over 65 years: 4.50 €
Children under 6 years do not pay entry.

Schedule:

Colosseum is open for visitors from 9 am until about 5 o'clock in the evening during the winter and until 7 pm during the summer.

Information source