The Colosseum in Rome is one of the seven wonders of the world. This wonder stands as a symbol of the magnificent Roman empire. Even ages after the fallen empire, it is standing tall as a major tourist attraction in Rome withstanding several earthquakes, wars, looting and contemporary pollution. This place was the home for all the Gladiator battles that took place during the Roman Empire. Now, this amphitheatre attracts millions of tourists from around the world. They come here to learn about its history and hear stories about the gladiator combats that took place here.
History of Colosseum in Rome – “Why and When?“
During 70 AD, Emperor Vespasian started the construction of the Colosseum as a gift to the people of Rome. It was an attempt by the emperor to compensate for the frustration in the people with the previous emperor Nero. Thus, the site of Nero’s palace was turned into an amphitheatre where the Roman people could have their own entertainment. The construction took place over a period of ten years. It was opened around 80 AD. There were Inaugration games for 100 days which was as sumptuous as the monument itself. It is said that 2000 gladiators and 5000 wild animals were slaughtered during the inaugural games.
The Colosseum was also a hub for gladiator combats, battle depictions, mock sea battles, drama performances, public crucifixions of prisoners, and exotic animal hunts which included animals like elephants, bears, lions, tigers, and giraffe. The Colosseum was effective for a period of 400 years.
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The Architecture of Colosseum- “What and How?“
The Colosseum in Rome is a large elliptical structure which is measuring 620 by 513 feet. It is the largest amphitheatre ever. It is a free-standing structure with its elliptical design resembling two Roman theatres put alongside each other. The outer wall was erected by using travertine stones which were held by iron clamps rather than mortars. Its front is composed of three stories of superimposed arcades raised by half-columns. Most of the outer wall was destroyed due to the earthquakes during the 14th Century. The remains, however, enhances the overall appeal of the structure. Originally, There was also a retractable canvas canopy, known as a velarium, to protect the onlookers from the Sun and rain.
The seating capacity of the Colosseum was over 50,000 people. They made people sit according to their social rank. The emperor had the best seat in the stadium with his own special podium on the north end. The seats in the lower tier were for senators and the ones above them were for the nobles and knights. The top rows were for the ordinary citizens with the poor citizens sitting at the higher end. Women and slaves sat at the top of the seating layout.
Inside the arena, there are underground chambers and passageways that were incipiently covered by a wooden floor, called the hypogeum. These passageways were for the transportation of animals and combatants to the arena. The floor used to be concealed with the sand. This was to prevent slipping and soak up the spilt blood.
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Entry to the Colosseum – “When and How?“
The Colosseum opens at 8:30 am and closes an hour before the sunset and it is open all year round except for January 1 and December 25. Below are the points to you should know if you want to visit the Colosseum in Rome.
- The Colosseum can only hold 3000 people at once and therefore it is safe to purchase your tickets or book your entry time beforehand online. Try to get the tickets a few weeks in advance if you are planning on visiting the place during a peak season like summer.
- Even if you have a Roma Pass and eligible to visit the Colosseum, you will have to book your entry time. You can do it online for 2 Euros per person. You can also directly do it at the ticket office.
- There might be chances of delay even if you have pre-booked due to the constraint of the Colosseum being able to contain only a specific number of people.
Also Read: Classic Museums in Rome
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