Colosseum

Rome, Italy

The Colosseum is an oval amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and sand, it is the largest amphitheatre ever built and probably the most well-known landmark of Rome. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72, and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81-96).

The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, having an average audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Although partially ruined because of damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is still an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and also has links to the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit 'Way of the Cross' procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum.

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Address

Piazza del Colosseo 58, Rome, Italy
See all sites in Rome

Details

Founded: 72-80 AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Italy

More Information

www.history.com
www.rome.info
en.wikipedia.org
www.the-colosseum.net

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Sistine Chapel (3,4 km)
Arch of Constantine (0,1 km)
St. Peter's Basilica (3,5 km)
Basilica of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli (0,8 km)
Altare della Patria (0,9 km)
St. Peter's Square (3,2 km)
Pantheon (1,6 km)
Vatican Historical Museum (3,6 km)
Apostolic Palace (3,3 km)


Villa d'Este (26,4 km)

User Reviews

Kavya Shekar (2 months ago)
The place is iconic for a reason. The Roman Colosseum is a fantastic piece of architecture. Every nook and cranny holds a historic significance. Make sure to get yourself an audio video guide when you enter. It explains the story behind the architecture - the social classes during Roman empire, the battle of Gladiators, their hidden surprise rooms below the battle grounds, etc. Plan to spend at least 2 hours roaming around and exploring this wonderful monument. The Roman ruins and other popular landmarks are also close by when you are done with this gem. Do NOT miss the Colosseum when you visit Rome!
Wendy Carroll (2 months ago)
Such an amazing place. Didn't go inside, but walking around the outside and picking up the history is so fascinating. Looking at what was achieved without the machinery that we have access to today. Apparently 50,000 spectators could be accommodated and the means for the spectators to depart the Colosseum had also been incorporated into this magnificent icon.
Squidgy H (2 months ago)
Amazing to see an ancient piece of history. Crazy to think the things that went on there. It felt a bit surreal if I'm honest, reasonably priced. Lots of maintenance/construction going on at the same time but I guess that's understandable. Would highly recommend a visit!
Sam Hughes (2 months ago)
We went on a nice February day when the sun was shining but was not too hot (~20C) and so exploring this ancient marvel was not too strenuous. I would highly recommend a guide so that you know what everything is and also to go down onto the arena platform for the full experience. I loved learning about the fascinating history of the Colosseum and I would recommend it when the weather isn't 50C.
Arnav Singh (3 months ago)
The gladiators arena is glorious! This is a place rich with incredible history. It is a great place to visit, you will be in awe of the architecture, the reconstruction, the museum (that's right, it houses a small museum), the history, and the incredible views both in and around the Colosseum. The metro station takes you right to the Colosseum, with plenty of other sites within walking distance. Top tips: • Buy your tickets online and in advance. • Leave yourself plenty of time to see both the Colosseum and the Forum. The Forum takes about 3 hours to see, and you can easily spend over an hour in the Colosseum. • Wear comfortable shoes, there's a lot of walking involved. • ENJOY!
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Porta Nigra

The Porta Nigra (Latin for black gate) is the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps. It is designated as part of the Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name Porta Nigra originated in the Middle Ages due to the darkened colour of its stone; the original Roman name has not been preserved. Locals commonly refer to the Porta Nigra simply as Porta.

The Porta Nigra was built in grey sandstone between 186 and 200 AD. The original gate consisted of two four-storied towers, projecting as near semicircles on the outer side. A narrow courtyard separated the two gate openings on either side. For unknown reasons, however, the construction of the gate remained unfinished. For example, the stones at the northern (outer) side of the gate were never abraded, and the protruding stones would have made it impossible to install movable gates. Nonetheless, the gate was used for several centuries until the end of the Roman era in Trier.

In Roman times, the Porta Nigra was part of a system of four city gates, one of which stood at each side of the roughly rectangular Roman city. The Porta Nigra guarded the northern entry to the Roman city, while the Porta Alba (White Gate) was built in the east, the Porta Media (Middle Gate) in the south, and the Porta Inclyta (Famous Gate) in the west, next to the Roman bridge across the Moselle. The gates stood at the ends of the two main streets of the Roman Trier, one of which led north-south and the other east-west. Of these gates, only the Porta Nigra still exists today.

In the early Middle Ages the Roman city gates were no longer used for their original function and their stones were taken and reused for other buildings. Also iron and lead braces were broken out of the walls of the Porta Nigra for reuse. Traces of this destruction are still clearly visible on the north side of the gate.

After 1028, the Greek monk Simeon lived as a hermit in the ruins of the Porta Nigra. After his death (1035) and sanctification, the Simeonstift monastery was built next to the Porta Nigra to honor him. Saving it from further destruction, the Porta Nigra was transformed into a church: The inner court of the gate was roofed and intermediate ceilings were inserted. The two middle storeys of the former gate were converted into church naves: the upper storey being for the monks and the lower storey for the general public. The ground floor with the large gates was sealed, and a large outside staircase was constructed alongside the south side (the town side) of the gate, up to the lower storey of the church. A small staircase led further up to the upper storey. The church rooms were accessible through former windows of the western tower of the Porta Nigra that were enlarged to become entrance doors (still visible today). The top floor of the western tower was used as church tower, the eastern tower was leveled, and an apse added at its east side. An additional gate - the much smaller Simeon Gate - was built adjacent to the East side of the Porta Nigra and served as a city gate in medieval times.

In 1802 Napoleon Bonaparte dissolved the church in the Porta Nigra and the monastery beside it, along with the vast majority of Trier"s numerous churches and monasteries. On his visit to Trier in 1804, Napoleon ordered that the Porta Nigra be converted back to its Roman form. Only the apse was kept; but the eastern tower was not rebuilt to its original height. Local legend has it that Napoleon originally wanted to completely tear down the church, but locals convinced him that the church had actually been a Gaulish festival hall before being turned into a church. Another version of the story is that they told him about its Roman origins, persuading him to convert the gate back to its original form.

In 1986 the Porta Nigra was designated a World Heritage Site, along with other Roman monuments in Trier and its surroundings. The modern appearance of the Porta Nigra goes back almost unchanged to the reconstruction ordered by Napoleon. At the south side of the Porta Nigra, remains of Roman columns line the last 100 m of the street leading to the gate. Positioned where they had stood in Roman times, they give a slight impression of the aspect of the original Roman street that was lined with colonnades. The Porta Nigra, including the upper floors, is open to visitors.

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