Known formally as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum stands as one of Rome's most iconic and enduring landmarks. Its name derives from the colossal statue of Emperor Nero that once towered nearby, casting a long shadow over the historical heart of Rome. This architectural feat was initiated by Emperor Vespasian in AD 72 and later brought to completion by his son Domitian in the 80s.
Upon its completion, the Colosseum boasted impressive dimensions: 48 meters high, with a length of 188 meters and width of 156 meters. Inside, the wooden arena floor spanned 86 by 54 meters and was blanketed with sand to absorb the blood spilled during its notorious spectacles. With a capacity to seat around 50,000 spectators, it became the theater of thrilling animal fights and gladiatorial contests, capturing the imaginations of those in attendance.
A visit to the Colosseum today can still evoke the grandiosity of its heyday, but first-time visitors may find the queues daunting. Fortunately, there are savvy ways to sidestep the wait and make the most out of your Roman adventure. While guided tours are a popular choice to jump the line, there are alternative strategies if you're keen on exploring independently.
An insider's tip is to purchase tickets at the nearby Roman Forum entrance, which allows you to bypass the main entrance queues. Tickets are also available online, providing another convenient option to save time. Just outside the Colosseum, numerous guides offer tours in English, ready to enrich your visit with fascinating insights.
Once inside, guided tours are available every 30 minutes or so in English, Spanish, or German, at an additional cost. These tours, led by experienced archaeologists, provide a deeper understanding of the amphitheater's rich history, even though they cover areas accessible to general visitors. Their expertise can indeed illuminate intriguing facets of Roman history, enhancing your appreciation of this ancient marvel.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum
Inaugurated in 217 AD and used until the 6th Century. The baths were big enough for 1600 bathers at a time. Impressive and well-preserved. Used for operas in summer months (see Opera di Roma for details) and was the location for the famous "three tenors" concert in July 1990, at the time of the World Cup (soccer).
Early Roman houses dating back to the 1st century, believed to be homes of early Christians. Well-preserved frescoes and a small museum.
The museum is dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte and his family. After Napoleon's death in 1821 the Pope gave permission to his family to settle down in Rome. His sister married Prince Camillo Borghese.
Rome's museum of contemporary art, housed in a former industrial complex. Rotating exhibitions, each one usually lasting about 4 months. The MACRO Testaccio exhibition space is located in Aventino-Testaccio.
Minor basilica in 17th-century baroque style with good art inside. In a smaller Italian city, this might be a prime attraction, but in Rome, with its abundance of great churches, this is merely a pleasant church of secondary interest to visit if you are in the area.
A lovely, if somewhat run-down park (parts of it are blocked due to the poor state of the roads) with statues and a great view on the city.
Built in 141 AD and dedicated to the Empress Faustina; after her husband emperor Antoninus Pius died in 161 AD the temple was rededicated to the couple.
A strange building, constructed by Reginald Pole, an English cardinal and later Archbishop of Canterbury, allegedly on the spot where he was able to escape from assassins sent by the English King Henry VIII.
Built in 81 AD by the emperor Domitianus in dedication to his brother Titus, who died earlier that year and reigned as emperor from 79-81, overseeing the opening of the Colosseum in 80 and the eruption of Mt Vesuvius the previous year.