About Colosseum
The Colosseum, also called the Flavian Amphitheater, is a large theater built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. Construction of the Colosseum began between 70 and 72 AD during the reign of Vespasian. It is located near the eastern side of the Palatine Hill, just below Nero’s Golden House.
The main artificial lake in the center of the palace grounds was removed and the Colosseum was placed there, a decision as symbolic as it was practical. Vespasian, whose path to the throne had humble beginnings, chose to replace the dictator’s pool with a public theater that could accommodate tens of thousands of Romans.
The building was officially unveiled by Titus in 80 CE in a ceremony that included 100 days of games. Later, in 82 AD, Domitian completed the work by adding the top story. Unlike the earlier amphitheatres, which were almost all carved into the mountains for additional support, the Colosseum was a free-standing structure of stone and concrete, using a complex system of barrel openings. in width and measures 620 by 513 feet (189 by 156 meters). ) in general.
Three of the floors of the arena are surrounded by arcades placed outside by columns placed in the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian order; The ascending arrangement of the columns of the structure became the basis of the Renaissance codification known as the legal convention. The main building and facade are in travertine, the second wall is in volcanic tuff and the internal pool and parking area are in concrete.
The amphitheater could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators, who were protected from the sun by a large velarium. Support masts from corbels were built on the top or ceiling of the Colosseum, and hundreds of Roman sailors were needed to fix the cables that stretched and restored the velarium. The Colosseum has been the site of thousands of hand-to-hand combats between gladiators, contests between men and animals, and many large-scale battles, including mock naval engagements.
However, it is not known whether the stadium was the place where the Christians were killed for the first time. Learn about the impact of urban landscaping on the Colosseum and the conservation efforts to preserve the monument.
Learn about the impact of underground work on the Colosseum and the efforts to preserve the monument. Watch all the videos in this article.
In ancient times, the Colosseum was used as a church, then as a fortress of two Roman families, the Frangipane and Annibaldi. Lightning and earthquakes damaged the Colosseum and, worse, by vandalism and pollution. All the marble chairs and ornaments are gone, and the site is seen as nothing more than a quarry for more than a thousand years.
The preservation of the Colosseum began in earnest in the 19th century, with outstanding efforts led by Pius VIII, and restoration work was carried out in the 1990s. It has long been one of Rome’s top tourist attractions, receiving nearly seven million visitors each year. Temporary exhibits related to ancient Roman culture are regularly installed.
The Colosseum has been around for centuries.
The Colosseum saw around four centuries of active use, until the struggle of the Western Roman Empire and the gradual change in public interest to stop gladiator fights and other great public entertainment in the 6th century year AD. JC. Even then, the stadium has been damaged by natural disasters such as lightning and earthquakes.
In the following centuries, the Colosseum was completely abandoned and used as a blast site for many construction projects, including the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. John Lateran, Palazzo Venezia, and the Defense Museum along the Tiber. However, starting in the 18th century, various popes wanted to preserve the site as a Christian holy site, although it is not certain whether the first Christians died in ‘because of their faith met their situation in Colossae, as has been said.
By the 20th century, a combination of weather, natural disasters, neglect, and vandalism had destroyed nearly two-thirds of the original Colosseum, including the marble seats. and all the decorations of the garden. Restoration efforts began in the 1990s and continue throughout the years as the Colosseum continues to attract tourists from around the world.
How to get to the Colosseum
The Colosseum is well served by public transport in Rome. It can be accessed by the metro, several bus lines and trams. Below is a list of all the public transport options for getting from anywhere in Rome to the Colosseum.
Metro line B, exit at Colosseum station. Metro line A, exit at the Manzoni stop, then change to tram line 3 heading south.
Bus lines 60, 75, 85, 87, 271, 571, 175, 186, 810, 850, C3 and 117. Tram line 3.
If you don’t want to take public transport, you can also take a taxi, just make sure it’s a licensed taxi. You will recognize them because they have the “TAXI” sign on the roof of the bus, they are all white and have the Commune di Roma sign on the side.
When is the best time to visit?
To avoid the summer heat and famous crowds, plan your visit anytime between November and February. From March to October, the building and surrounding grounds are often crowded, especially during the summer months. If you go then, you can avoid some of the crowds by going right after they open at 8:30am, or during the afternoon, about an hour or two before closing. (4pm in low season, 7pm in summer) .
