The Colosseum in Rome
The Colosseum was constructed between 70-72 AD for the Emperor Vespasian, founder of the Flavian Dynasty. In fact its real name is the Flavian Amphitheatre, it got its nickname due to the colossal statue of Nero that used to stand out front of the building.
In its day the grand elliptical amphitheatre could hold up to 50,000 people, over its four floors; spectators who came to watch the gladiatorial contests, executions, mock battles and sporting event or two.
In the early medieval era the Colosseum was made redundant and was no longer in public use. It was later re-established as a space for housing, workshops and religious quarters. The Colloseum has had many guises throughout the century including a fortress, a quarry and a Christian shrine.
Now the Colosseum is just an impressive shell; in 847 the south-side of the building was destroyed by an earthquake, fires have also ravaged the building and parts of stone work were used to construct other monuments, including St. Peter's Basilica.
Nevertheless the Colosseum is still one of the world's largest remaining examples of a Roman amphitheatre and it is considered one of the greatest works of Roman Architecture and Engineering still standing today.
If you can deal with the large volume of visitors and the tourist attractions that are set up to pull in the crowd – these include gladiators who you can pose with for your very own Roman photo, then a visit to The Colosseum is an essential part of the Roman sightseeing schedule.
Finally if you are in Rome around Easter then you may even get a chance to experience the Good Friday ‘Way of the Cross' torch lit procession, led by the Pope, the procession starts in the area by the Colosseum.
In its day the grand elliptical amphitheatre could hold up to 50,000 people, over its four floors; spectators who came to watch the gladiatorial contests, executions, mock battles and sporting event or two.
In the early medieval era the Colosseum was made redundant and was no longer in public use. It was later re-established as a space for housing, workshops and religious quarters. The Colloseum has had many guises throughout the century including a fortress, a quarry and a Christian shrine.
Now the Colosseum is just an impressive shell; in 847 the south-side of the building was destroyed by an earthquake, fires have also ravaged the building and parts of stone work were used to construct other monuments, including St. Peter's Basilica.
Nevertheless the Colosseum is still one of the world's largest remaining examples of a Roman amphitheatre and it is considered one of the greatest works of Roman Architecture and Engineering still standing today.
If you can deal with the large volume of visitors and the tourist attractions that are set up to pull in the crowd – these include gladiators who you can pose with for your very own Roman photo, then a visit to The Colosseum is an essential part of the Roman sightseeing schedule.
Finally if you are in Rome around Easter then you may even get a chance to experience the Good Friday ‘Way of the Cross' torch lit procession, led by the Pope, the procession starts in the area by the Colosseum.