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IN A NUTSHELL
WHAT: Colosseum
WHERE: Central Rome
WHY: Ancient Rome's Tournament Arena, which features fantastic ruins
WHEN: Any time of year, but the summer will draw a mass of tourists
HOW: Walking distance from Rome's central train station

For a panorama of the Colosseum, CLICK HERE 

Rome's COLOSSEUM was built in 72 AD and no other single landmark standing today embodies the magnificence of the Roman Empire.  This magnificent stadium seated 55,000 people and was designed in such a way that it could be cleared in 20 minutes.

Citizens would flock to this grand building for entertainment.  Shows usually featured animals, slaves, and gladiators dueling to the death.  This sophisticated arena with its complex backstage facilities was even flooded from time to time for mock naval battles. 

The Colosseum is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday-Saturday 9am-7pm; Wednesdays and Sundays 9am-1pm.  For more information, call 06 700 4261.

These first few pictures are a view of the outside of the Colosseum from the Roman Forum.  The Roman Forum features many of the ruined civic buildings of ancient Rome.  The columns on the cobblestone walkway provide a great way to frame your pictures of the Colosseum.

This next group of pictures is of the Colosseum from its street approach.  While the Colosseum is impressive in the daytime, I would also recommend a twilight visit to see the lights of the building against the backdrop of a dark sky.

The inside of the Colosseum, while impressive in its own right, is not what one would expect.  The whole floor of the arena, which at one time hid the underground labyrinth of gateways and cages for gladiators and animals, has fallen away.  Visitors cannot walk on the sandy floor and pretend they are in the movie Gladiator. Rather, they are limited to the spectator stands.

Next to the Colosseum lies the Arch of Constantine.  This triumphal arch was built in 315 AD to celebrate the triumph of Constantine I over Maxentius in the battle at the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD.  This battle laid the way for Constantine to become sole Augustus of the Western Roman Empire.



For a panorama of the Colosseum, CLICK HERE 

Rome Travel Tips

WHERE TO STAY Find out which parts of the city to stay near...and which parts to avoid!

URBAN TRANSPORTATION
Tired of walking?  Like any other city, Rome offers several modes of transportation.


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