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A Significant Landmark from Antiquity
When you're in the Eternal City, you simply must see it: the world-famous Colosseum in Rome - an architectural masterpiece from ancient times. Read here what to expect when visiting this magnificent attraction.
One of the most famous landmarks in Rome is the globally recognized Colosseum. No other attraction is so closely associated with the Italian capital as the Colosseo, as the city's symbol is called in Italian. What you need to know about the - sometimes rather brutal - history of the Colosseum in Rome and where to get affordable tickets will be revealed in this article.
The world-famous Colosseum in Rome
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Colosseum Rome - Interesting Facts & Information
Do you know what history lies behind this world-famous monument? How large the Colosseum is and what cruel events took place here? I have compiled the most exciting information about the Colosseum in Rome for you:
- The predecessor of the Colosseum was a wooden arena commissioned by Emperor Nero after the Great Fire of Rome, which stood on the Campus Martius.
- The current stone Colosseum was constructed between 72 and 80 AD by Emperor Titus Flavius Vespasianus. Thus, the Colosseum was also known in ancient Rome by the name of the ruling Flavian dynasty, Amphitheatrum Flavium.
- With a circumference of 527 meters and a height of 48 meters, the Colosseum in Rome is the largest amphitheater in the world. It could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators.
- The Colosseum has three levels composed of 80 arches framed by half-columns. The fourth and upper story also consists of 80 wall sections separated by pilasters. The free people of Rome, for whom the games were free of charge, could enter the Colosseum through 80 entrances. Which entrance the spectators could use depended on their social status.
Signs against the death penalty
Whenever a death penalty is postponed somewhere in the world today, the Colosseum is illuminated for 48 hours.
- The architectural masterpiece served as the site for brutal games, where gladiators, death row inmates, and wild animals fought against each other. Whole naval battles were also reenacted in the Colosseum. For this purpose, the arena was flooded with water. Around half a million people and even more animals lost their lives during the events at the Colosseum.
- After the Colosseum opened, it was subsequently underpinned. Beneath the elliptical arena was a complex system of corridors and rooms from which gladiators and animals were brought to the surface via ramps and lifts.
- Even after the Christianization of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum was still used for the so-called animal hunts. However, events in which humans died were already rejected at that time.
- In 1744, the Colosseum was consecrated as a place of martyrdom by Pope Benedict XIV, and since the early 19th century, it has also been under monument protection.
Opening Hours & Tickets for the Colosseum
The Colosseum is one of the attractions you absolutely must not miss during your city trip to Rome! To ensure your visit goes smoothly and you don't have to wait long for entry, I recommend purchasing your Colosseum ticket online in advance.
Colosseum Rome Information
- Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Rome
- Getting there: Metro station & bus stop Colosseo (e.g., Metro line B)
- Opening hours: usually from 8:30 AM to at least 4:30 PM // in the summer months until 7:15 PM
- Prices: Adults €16, children under 18 free, reduced €14 // €2 reservation fee for online orders
- More: Ticket valid also for Roman Forum and Palatine // Tours available
The ticket price of €16 also includes admission to the nearby Roman Forum and Palatine, so you don't need to buy an extra ticket here. If you hold the Roma Pass, you pay only €7.50 or €5.50 for reduced tickets. If you buy your ticket on-site, I recommend going to the ticket counters at the Roman Forum. The lines here are usually not as long as at the Colosseum itself.
If you are particularly interested in the architecture and history of the Colosseum, you can also participate in guided tours. In some of these tours, you even get exclusive access to the arena where gladiatorial battles and animal hunts once took place.
Guru Tip: Are you still looking for a hotel near the Colosseum? Simply use the handy filter function in my hotel search to find the perfect accommodation!
Visit the Colosseum in Rome
Have you ever had the chance to see the impressive Colosseum in Rome with your own eyes? If not, you should quickly take a look at my current Rome offers for a city trip or easily put together the perfect trip yourself. The many sights in Rome are waiting for you!
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