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COLOSSEUM IN ROME

The Colosseum or Coliseum is the most powerful of all Rome's classical buildings. Even 2000 years later, and despite centuries of abandonment and pillage for building materials, it is instantly recognisable to all whom visit. It remains a classical template for the stadiums of today’s world. It was the first permanent amphitheatre to be built in Rome and the most impressive arena the world had yet seen. It could accommodate over 60,000 people and 10,000 people standing, all of whom could enter and leave in a matter of minutes, courtesy of 80 entrances; this is one structure that is a must see and will take your breath away.

The amphitheatre was mainly used for entertaining the crowds with games and fights between gladiators who fought animals and wild beasts. The gladiators were mostly men who were prisoners or criminals who fought each other to death however if one of them was badly wounded he would surrender and it was left to the crowds to determine his fate. In AD 80 a hundred days games were held at the Colosseum to celebrate the opening of the building by Titus, Vespasian’s son. In AD 523 the fights with wild animals were banned. In AD 442 the Colosseum was damaged by an earthquake and in the Middle Ages some of the ruins were used to build several palaces including parts of St. Peter’s Basilica.

- Where is the Colosseum: Piazza del Colosseo
- How to get to the Colosseum: By Subway/Metro to Colosseo Station on line B