The Colosseum

A visit to the Colosseum is a unique and unforgettable experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the history and beauty of one of the world's most iconic monuments.

The Flavian amphitheatre

The Ancient Flavian Amphitheatre, built in the 1st century AD in Rome, was renamed 'Colosseum' in the 8th century due to its proximity to the Neronian Colossus. The etymology of the new name has given rise to several hypotheses: some see in the appellation 'Colosseum' a reference to the 'colossal' proportions of the building, while others refer to the proximity of Nero's Colossus, suggesting that people would say 'ad Colossum eo', i.e. 'I go to the Colossus'. A further theory proposes that the name derives from the ancient term 'Collis Isei', meaning the temple of Isis that stood on the nearby Colle Oppio.

Visit the Flavian amphitheatre

The Colosseum in Rome is a Roman amphitheatre built in the 1st century AD and is one of the most famous and visited monuments in the world. Known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, it has been included among the seven wonders of the world for its majesty and historical importance. The Colosseum is most famous for being the epicentre of ancient Rome's gladiator shows and battles.

Useful information for visiting the Colosseum

Admission tickets can be purchased online or at authorised points of sale. But we recommend purchasing an organised tour online with a 'skip the line' ticket to avoid long queues.

The archaeological park of the Colosseum is easily accessible from the city centre

  • Walking from the centre of Rome
  • Bus
  • Metro

The main attractions in Rome that can be reached from the Colosseum are:

  • The Domus Aurea
  • The Palatine Roman Forum
The architecture of the Flavian amphitheatre

The Colosseum in Rome is one of the masterpieces of Roman architecture and one of the most important testimonies to the greatness of the Roman Empire. The complex system of the Colosseum consists of three main levels, each with a series of semicircular arches, which are supported by pillars and columns of travertine stone. These arches form internal galleries where up to 50,000 people could sit. The dimensions of the Colosseum are astounding: its oval arena covers an area of about 6,000 square metres and its height reaches 57 metres. The arches of the Colosseum are about 30 metres high, for a total of 80 arches. The ground floor of the Colosseum was reserved for organisational activities, while the upper floors housed seating for assemblies and public celebrations of the Roman people. The outer wall of the Colosseum was highly decorated, with numerous stone ornaments, arches, niches and tapered columns. On either side of the structure, there were four main entrances, each with a columned portico, which led to the galleries of the arena. The majesty of the Colosseum was also made possible by the use of numerous irrigation and drainage systems, which allowed the organisation of events inside without the fear of flooding or water accumulation. In summary, the architecture of the Colosseum is exceptional for its combination of functionality and beauty, making it an unprecedented and still astonishing structure for visitors from all over the world.

The history of the Colosseum

The construction of the Colosseum began under Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD and was completed under the reign of his son, Titus, in 80 AD. Its realisation was possible thanks to the urban reform of Rome, which led to the reclamation of the Campus Martius and the creation of the vast area of the Colle Oppio. The Colosseum was initially known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, in honour of the Flavian dynasty. The main purpose of the Colosseum was to host a wide range of public spectacles, in particular gladiator fights, wild animal hunts and simulated naval battles, thanks to the innovative technology of a vast underground cistern that could be filled with water. The Colosseum quickly became one of the Empire's favourite entertainment venues and was also used at public festivals and celebrations, such as the celebration of the conquest of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Despite its historical importance, in the Middle Ages the Colosseum fell into disuse and was used as a source of building materials. Over the centuries, the structure suffered a great deal of damage, both from earthquakes and from degradation due to time and the wear and tear of use.

Today, the Colosseum remains one of the most visited monuments in the world and one of the most important symbols of Rome's glorious past. Thanks to our historical knowledge and technology, the Colosseum has been restored and preserved for generations to come.

The terrace of the imposing monument

Access to the Colosseum was free, and people entered through 76 numbered arches marked in red, 29 of which are still visible on the northern side. Guidance for spectators was indicated on the routes inside the arches and also on the cards distributed to each head of household. The allocation of seats followed a strict hierarchical criterion: the best view was from the imperial box, located at the southern entrance, on the minor axis of the monument. The senators had the best seats near the arena, followed by the sector behind reserved for the knights, while the two sectors of the maenianum secundum housed progressively lower social categories. The worst seats, in terms of visibility and ease of access, were in the maenianum summum, the colonnaded portico that crowned the cavea, equipped with wooden seats reserved for the plebs. From here one could access the terrace of the so-called 'Belvedere' of the third level, from which it is now possible to admire the cavea from different heights of the upper orders, reaching the terraces of the third, fourth and fifth levels.

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