Italy

Coliseum

Cards with the image of the Coliseum are on sale in all corners of the world! This is a unique engineering structure, a huge amphitheater, where even naval battles were staged. Attraction must be visited. It is interesting to plunge into history, not just read a book, but see with your own eyes, imagine ancient Rome, gladiators in the arena. Interesting, exciting.

Roman Colosseum (Colosseo)

The Colosseum is a symbol of Rome, a popular tourist attraction. In 2007 he was recognized as one of the 7 New Wonders of the World. Its ruins, deprived of their former decoration, still make a strong impression with their severe grandeur.

Where did the name come from

The word "amphitheater" in Greek means - a sight, "double theater". Antique theaters were usually located on a hillside. Places for spectators were cut down in the thickness of the mountain, and actors and "orchestra" were located at the foot of the mountain.

The most significant amphitheater of antiquity was the Roman Colosseum (Italian: Colosseo, lat. Colosseum). Its name comes from the Latin "colosseum" - "grandiose". He got this name thanks to a huge bronze monument - the Colossus of Nero, located nearby.

Colosseum in Ancient Rome

Facade of the Coliseum

The grandiose construction began to be built after the victory of Vespasianus Flavius ​​in Judea (in the 72nd year). Therefore, it was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater (Latin Amphitheatrum Flavium). And only from the VIII century the current name of the Colosseum was established. Construction lasted 8 years. The building was consecrated in 80 by Emperor Titus.

The amphitheater was erected in a hollow between the hills of Esquiline, Celius and the Palatine. Previously, there was an artificial lake, which was located next to the Golden House of Nero. For the sake of creating a colossal arena, the reservoir was drained.

Amphitheater Flaviev

In terms of the Coliseum was oval, like other ancient amphitheaters. 240 huge arches, lined with travertine, were made of terracotta and brick. The arched structure greatly facilitated the walls - this method of construction was a revolution in architecture. The arches were located densely, like a honeycomb. Each flight in the first tier served as an entrance for the audience. Above the entrances were written numbers of the numbering of places. If necessary, the audience could leave the hall in a matter of minutes.

Arena

In the middle of the amphitheater was an arena. Spectator seats diverged from it in concentric circles. The dimensions of the arena were 85 x 53 m. The outer boundary of the ellipse is 524 m, the major axis is 188 m, the minor axis is 155 m. The height of the walls reached 50 meters.

The Coliseum Hall was designed for 50 thousand spectators. Places for the public were divided into tiers, according to the social status of the audience. The first rows of white marble were intended for senators (these places were "inscribed"). In addition to senators, the lower tier (podium) could be occupied by close emperors and vestals. The emperor’s place towered over the rest. The podium was separated from the arena by a stone parapet - for the safety of distinguished guests. For ordinary citizens, three tiers were intended. In the 20 rows of the first tier sat noble Romans and horsemen. In 16 rows of the second tier housed everyone who had the title of Roman citizen. Further there was a high protective wall, and behind it there were places for the lower classes. Even higher was a portico adjacent to the outer wall.

The pillars of the first tier were Doric half-columns, the second - Ionic, the third - Corinthian with carved decorative capitals. The openings of the upper floors were decorated with many statues of white marble.

When it rained or the sun fell, the imperial sailors unfurled a huge tent over the amphitheater. It was attached by ropes to the masts on the outer wall.

In commemoration of the opening of the Coliseum, the Day Games were announced. Spectators saw the battles of strong gladiators with powerful predators, sea battles. Animals were taken from everywhere and killed not only for fun. The Roman Empire once again proved its greatness in this way.

The triumph of Emperor Trajan in the Dacian Wars was grandly celebrated at the Coliseum in 107. 19,000 gladiators fought in games, and they lasted 123 days.

In 217, under the Emperor Makrin, the Colosseum suffered from a fire, but was restored by decree of Alexander Sever.

In 248, Emperor Philip celebrated the thousandth anniversary of the Eternal City at the Coliseum. Gladiators again competed (two thousand fighters participated in the battles) and animal persecution was conducted.

Fights between people were stopped in 405 by order of Emperor Honorius, as they did not correspond to Christian canons. But animal persecution continued until the VI century. When the ban on animal persecution came out, the huge amphitheater lost its significance. And after the invasion of the barbarians came to desolation.

Auditorium
Arena view
Architecture
Under the arena
Senator Places
Plan
Finish
Masonry
Corridors under the arena
Spectacular spots on one side
Viewers on the other hand
Inside
Grand construction
Exterior facade detail
Cutaway coliseum
Arch detail
Ancient stones
Coliseum Tour
Areas under the arena

Colosseum in the Middle Ages

In the VI century, a small chapel appeared in the structure of the Coliseum. Arcades and vaulted spaces were adapted for workshops and housing, and the arena itself was used as a cemetery.

From the 11th century until 1132, the Colosseum became a fortress for noble Roman families. Emperor Henry VII presented it to the Roman Senate and people at the beginning of the 14th century. Until 1332, bullfights were organized here.

In 1349, an earthquake occurred in Rome that severely damaged a stone colossus. But people destroyed it much more strongly: they pulled the amphitheater into building materials, burned marble with lime, Roman palaces and churches were lined with travertine from the walls, and brick went to build bridges and harbors.

New time

Cross

Since the 16th century, the church gained a great influence over the Coliseum. In the 18th century, it was consecrated as the site of the death of Christian martyrs. Pope Benedict XIV took the amphitheater under his protection and ordered a huge cross to be erected in the center, and several altars built around. They were removed in 1874. But the popes continued to take care of the safety of the surviving parts of the building.

Present day

Street performers at the walls of the Coliseum

Only at the beginning of the 19th century were the first steps taken to preserve the priceless amphitheater. In 1894, the Italian government took the monument under state protection, proclaiming the Colosseum a symbol of Rome. Wreckage was inserted into the place where it was possible. In the arena, thanks to archaeological excavations, basements were found with many mechanisms that put people and animals into the arena.

Today is the first stage to protect the monument. It includes restoration and processing of arcades with a waterproof composition and reconstruction of the wooden floor in the arena.

The Colosseum, as a decoration, has been used more than once in films, and has been mentioned in literature and musical works. World stars prefer to perform in its arena.

How to buy tickets to the Colosseum online?

Queue at the Coliseum

Online ticket

I advise you to buy tickets in advance on the Internet, so as not to stand in line. For € 14 you will get a 2-day ticket to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine. Each museum can be visited only 1 time.

Tickets

Combined ticket - € 12 (via the Internet - € 14);
children under 17 years old - free of charge.

The ticket gives the right to visit the Coliseum, the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Palatine and is valid for 2 days after the first visit.

E-tickets sell at:

  • etickets.coopculture.it
  • Cool combo tickets at tiqets.com

View combo tickets:

Working hours

Daily from 8:30 to 17-19 hours, depending on the time of year.
Weekends: January 1, May 1, December 25.

How to get there

Take line B metro to Colosseo Station;
by tram 3, 8 to the Parco Celio stop;
by bus 51, 75, 85, 87, 118, N2 - to Colloseo.

Watch the video: Documentary 2015. Colosseum Ancient History (May 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Italy, Next Article

Testaccio
Italy

Testaccio

The Testaccio district got its name from an artificial hill, consisting of ancient fragments of amphoras. There are no crowds of tourists, but there are attractions. This is the area of ​​the true Romans. The lack of palaces, colorful apartment buildings in clothesline, cafes and restaurants for locals, excellent grocery stores - all this is guaranteed in Testaccio!
Read More
Palace of Conservatives
Italy

Palace of Conservatives

The Conservatives Palace houses a large part of the collection of the Capitoline Museums. Here you will see the Capitoline Wolf with babies; original equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius; the famous Capitol Venus and the Boy taking out a splinter; curious fragments of Colossus Constantine; ancient frescoes, mosaics, church and secular utensils, porcelain, magnificent tapestries and a good art gallery, where not only Italians, but also Flemings are represented.
Read More
The Baths of Caracalla
Italy

The Baths of Caracalla

The terms of Caracalla were erected on a large scale. This is evident in the scale of the ruins. It is interesting to simply walk around the complex and try to imagine how everything looked here before. I recommend visiting them in the summer, during the opera festival. Terme di Caracalla, photo by MJAB Terma: bathhouse, club, stadium, beauty salon, concert hall I don’t know if it is permissible to apply the epithet “greats” to public baths.
Read More
Beautiful cities of central Italy
Italy

Beautiful cities of central Italy

Acquaintance with Italy, many seek to start with Rome or Florence. However, there are not so famous, but noteworthy cities in central Italy that you should visit at least once in your life. The most beautiful cities in central Italy are places to visit at least once in a lifetime, photo by Massimo Battesini Many travelers seek to start exploring Italy from Rome or Florence.
Read More