Colosseum Square
The Colosseum Square in the heart of Rome
This place is home to the most famous monument in the world. To discover the Piazza del Colosseo in Rome is to take a journey through time and at the same time admire one of the seven wonders of the world.
The Colosseum Square in the heart of Rome
In the centre of the Piazza del Colosseo is Rome's most iconic monument, a symbol of the city and Italy throughout the world: the Colosseum. The area where the square stands today was once occupied by the pond of Nero's Domus Aurea, where the colossal statue of the emperor was reflected, which gave the Flavian Amphitheatre the name by which it is now universally known. The square is located between the Monti, Campitelli and Celio districts and is a crossroads between Via dei Fori Imperiali and Via Claudia, one of the oldest Roman roads. It is therefore not surprising that the Piazza del Colosseo is one of the most frequented places in the world.
Important information for your visit:
From the Colosseum Square you can access the three entrances to the Colosseum.
There is a tourist information centre on the side.
The Colosseo Station of Line B overlooks the square.
The Piazza leads to the Via dei Fori Imperiali.
The night visit with the artistic illumination of the Colosseum is a must.
The other monuments of the Colosseum Square:
The Arch of Constantine
"To the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantine Maximus Pius Felix Augustus, the Senate and the Roman people, since by divine inspiration and the greatness of his spirit at once with his army he avenged the state, by means of a just war, both from tyrant and from all his factions, dedicated this distinguished arch for triumph."
The Arch of Constantine, located a short distance from the Colosseum, is an imposing triumphal arch with three arches. The central passage is flanked by two smaller side passages, and the entire structure can be regarded as an official museum of Roman sculpture, due to its extraordinary richness and importance. The Senate dedicated the arch to commemorate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Ponte Milvio on 28 October 312, and it was inaugurated in 315 on the occasion of the emperor's decennalia, i.e. the ten years of his reign. The position of the arch, between the Palatine and the Caelian, coincided with the ancient path of triumphs.
Basement area of the Colossus of Nero
According to Pliny the Elder, the Colossus, made by the sculptor Zenodorus, was 33.5 metres high and stood on a square pedestal 11 metres on a side. The bronze statue, probably inspired by the famous Colossus of Rhodes, depicted the emperor as a solar deity with his right arm outstretched forward, holding a branch, while his left arm held a sphere, symbolising the globe. The head of the imposing statue was adorned with a crown composed of seven rays, each six metres long. The impressive visual effect of the statue must have been astounding and easily perceptible even from a great distance due to its gigantic size and the gold that covered the bronze. Moreover, the Colosseum did not yet exist at the time of the statue, and there must have been a small lake that reflected the imposing monument, creating an incredibly impressive spectacle.
The name of the Colosseum derives from the Colossus of Nero?
It is possible that the name 'Colosseum' derives from the presence of Nero's Colossus in the vicinity of the Flavian amphitheatre built in 80 AD. However, there are other hypotheses suggesting that the nickname might have come from the large size of the amphitheatre itself or from the nearby Colle Oppio, where the temple of Isis known as "Collis Isei" stood. Throughout history, the Colossus of Nero underwent many changes depending on the emperor of the period. Vespasian, who ruled from 69 to 79 A.D., had to intervene to repair it after a fire broke out in the Domus Aurea. In 127 AD, Hadrian commissioned the architect Decrianus to move the Colossus next to the Colosseum to make room for the new temple of Venus. Decrianus used twenty-four elephants to transport it, keeping it upright, and at the emperor's request, replaced Nero's facial features with those of Hadrianus. A graphic engraving illustrates the new position of the Colossus after the move.
Church of Santa Maria della Pietà at the Colosseum
Inside one of Rome's most important monuments, the Flavian Amphitheatre, precisely in the 24th arch of one of its great archways, is a small chapel dedicated to Santa Maria della Pietà. The church was founded between the 6th and 7th century as a place of worship, probably in memory of the people who died inside the Colosseum. The first well-founded information about the chapel comes from Cardinal Cencio Camerario, a distinguished historian and connoisseur of Roman churches, and dates back to 1192, when the church was known by the title 'Santissimo Salvatore in Rota Colisei'.
Rome's attractions can be easily reached from the Piazza:
The Colosseum Archaeological Park:
The Palatine Hill
The Palatine Museum
The Domus Aurea
Roman Forums
Imperial Forums
Basilica of Saints John and Paul
Reviews:
"The Piazza del Colosseo is one of the most fascinating squares I have ever seen! The view of the majestic structure of the Colosseum, as well as that of the remains of the Flavian Amphitheatre, leaves you breathless. The square itself is always very crowded but you can never forget the feeling of being in such a historic and iconic place."
"With cobblestones underfoot and the imposing architecture of the Colosseum as a backdrop, the Piazza del Colosseo seems almost like a place out of time in the City of Rome. It is a truly unique experience to walk around this square and see probably the most famous monument in the world and the ruins that tell the story of ancient Rome."
"The Colosseum Square is the perfect place for a night visit. The lights that illuminate the Colosseum and the surrounding area create a magical and romantic atmosphere, while the desert often makes you feel like you have this incredible place all to yourself."
"The Piazza del Colosseo is undoubtedly one of the most touristy places in Rome, but no less impressive for that. The amount of people can be a bit suffocating, but the sight of the historic Colosseum in the centre of Rome's capital is powerful and makes everything else take a back seat."
"Amidst so many historical and cultural places scattered around Italy, the Piazza del Colosseo is one of the few that seem to have a magical ability to stimulate the imagination and bring history into your consciousness. To be able to walk on a pavement where thousands of people have passed and see the Colosseum sculpted against the blue sky is a unique experience and highlights this extraordinary monument."
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