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

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

Thomas Buelow (3 months ago)
Nice place, very cool. The kids will have fun. The outer rings are a lot cooler when it's hot outside. I didn't get a tour, just purchased tickets online. I paid extra to go to the ground floor. Worth it. Awesome place.
Chandramohan Devaraju (4 months ago)
This huge amphitheater, the largest of its kind ever built by the Roman Empire & the largest of Roman constructions to exist. It could be the inspiration or a model to build stadiums of our generation. A big wooden floor & two additional underground stories with tunnels, rooms, cells, and passages extending space to accommodate gladiators, workers, wild animals, and storage. Though it's big, entrance is restricted to protect the remains or we're not allowed for some maintenance reasons when we visited. Overall a great destination to embark once. Better not recommended for a hot day.
Everyday Life Journey (8 months ago)
This monument defying all ages is impressive Reminder of everything that is in our past and evolving civilization. It stands through centuries. I had good positive feeling about this incredible place. Visited 2019 and I hope I will be able to visit again with my family and friends. This place has more hidden romance and dramas that we will never even know. We can have imagination of this times and carry it for future generations to explore it even further.
Abijith Abi (11 months ago)
Its an amazing historical place. Worth to visit if you are in Rome. If you want to enjoy this place,try to know the background of the place before you visit it. Beware of local guides, you can avoid them by directly going to ticket counters.Visit both morning and evening time to take great photos! Really amazing place with rich history and culture. It’s one of the best creation of the world. It's hard to believe that this manmade structure was constructed thousands of years ago to host various events including the gladiators. Till this day, men have still not been able to re-create a concrete as structural as the concrete that the Romans used to build the Colosseum. That's amazing! While you are here, there are tours of the Colosseum which give insightful facts and a great experience of what Roman life was like.
Bruce White (13 months ago)
One of the most visited places in Rome.It is crowded,there is always a queue for tickets,but it goes quickly, because there is really nothing to look at for a long time ..Inside, you can walk around the perimeter of the building, see the ruins of the stands and stairs,part of the restored arena,the lower rooms where animals and staff were kept at one time - everything! The audio guide is absolute nonsense - the information is sparse ,read out in a monotonous voice with a nasty accent.If you came on your own - without a tour and have not read anything about this historical place before, you can take one audio guide for everyone - you will have time to listen in turn,because there is not much to listen to, and 6 euros will be useful for you.Photo on the background of the walls of the Colliseum,a view of Rome from the height of the second floor( high,ancient), we present ourselves as a spectator - and you can go to the Palatine hill - that's beautiful there!But it is worth visiting here, because there is always a collision in the photo from Rome, and You were there too!!!
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