Colosseum, Roman amphitheatre in central Rome, Italy
The Colosseum is an oval amphitheater in central Rome, standing about 48 meters tall with multiple levels of travertine stone. The outer facade shows arches and columns of different orders while the inner seating rises in tiers once arranged according to social rank.
Vespasian ordered construction to begin between 70 and 72 on the site of Nero's former palace lake, and his son Titus inaugurated the amphitheater in 80 with months of games. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire the structure decayed and served over centuries as a fortress, housing, and quarry for other buildings.
People from all over the world gather around this monument to feel the power of ancient construction and take photos from every angle. Street musicians and vendors animate the surroundings while visitors often pause and let the size of the building sink in before walking through the arches.
It is best to purchase entry tickets online in advance, especially from April through October when long queues can form. The Colosseo metro station offers direct access and nearby you can also visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, often available with combined tickets.
The underground area contained a complex system of about 28 elevators operated by counterweights and human muscle to make animals and scenery appear suddenly in the arena. Slaves and workers ran these mechanisms in hot and poorly lit conditions while spectators above experienced the illusion of a magical appearance.
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