Circus Maximus, Ancient Roman circus in Rome, Italy
Circus Maximus is an archaeological site in the first district of Rome that shows the layout of an ancient racetrack. The grounds stretch 600 meters long and 140 meters wide and preserve remains of seating areas, underground passages and medieval buildings that settled over the Roman foundation.
Julius Caesar commissioned a permanent structure here in the first century before Christ, replacing earlier wooden buildings in the Murcia valley. Over the centuries the arena was expanded and remained in operation until the sixth century after Christ, when it fell into disrepair and its stones were used for other projects.
Charioteers raced here wearing green, blue, red or white while crowds cheered for their team and placed bets on the outcome. The atmosphere resembled a modern stadium where rivalry and passion shaped the day and people from all walks of life gathered together.
The site lies open under the sky and is accessible in all weather, though shade is scarce during summer months. Visitors can walk across ancient paving stones and descend into accessible galleries that once led to the seating rows.
A virtual experience using special glasses lets visitors see the building in different periods and understand how races unfolded. The technology brings back vanished columns, seating and chariots and connects the empty field with its former shape.
Location: Municipio I
Inception: 550s BCE
Length: 600 m
Width: 140 m
Website: http://sovraintendenzaroma.it/i_luoghi/roma_antica/monumenti/circo_massimo
GPS coordinates: 41.88590,12.48570
Latest update: December 4, 2025 14:20
Rome preserves more than 2,000 years of architectural history within its city limits, maintaining ancient temples and amphitheaters beside Renaissance churches and Baroque piazzas. The Roman Forum displays ruins from the first century BC through the fourth century AD, including government buildings and temples that formed the administrative heart of the Roman Empire. The Pantheon demonstrates Roman engineering with its concrete dome, while the Colosseum remains the largest ancient amphitheater ever built. The city evolved through subsequent centuries as papal patronage transformed medieval Rome into a showcase of Renaissance and Baroque art and architecture. The Vatican holds significant religious and artistic collections, including the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes and Saint Peter's Basilica, the world's largest church building. Throughout the historic center, public squares like Piazza Navona preserve the footprint of ancient Roman structures while displaying Baroque fountains by Bernini and Borromini. The Trevi Fountain draws thousands of visitors daily to its 18th century facade, and the Spanish Steps connect different elevation levels of the city. Rome's neighborhoods maintain traditional Italian life around these monuments, with restaurants, shops and residences occupying buildings from various historical periods.
Rome joins history with modern photography. The city spreads across several hills and holds buildings from different centuries, from ancient ruins to baroque churches and fountains. Photographers find subjects on every street corner, from large public squares to narrow alleys in old neighborhoods. The Colosseum and Roman Forum show the building techniques of ancient Rome. Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona present baroque design with flowing water and sculptures. The Spanish Steps serve as a meeting point where people rest on the steps and watch the activity below. The Pantheon has stood for nearly 2,000 years and impresses through its dome with a circular opening at the center. In Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica rises with its tall dome, and the Vatican Museums contain long galleries filled with artworks. Castel Sant'Angelo stands by the Tiber River and offers a wide view over the city's rooftops from above. Trastevere sits on the other side of the river and shows a different face of Rome: small squares, narrow streets with laundry lines between buildings, and restaurants with tables on the pavement. The church of Santa Maria in Trastevere has a golden mosaic on its facade that glows in the evening light. Campo de' Fiori is a market in the morning with vegetables and flowers, and in the evening the square fills with people. Via Margutta is a quiet street with galleries and plants on the building walls. The Aventine Keyhole shows St. Peter's Dome through a small opening in perfect framing. The Janiculum hill and Villa Borghese Gardens offer green spaces for walking and views over the city. Caracalla Baths and the Appian Way show Rome outside the center, where ancient structures stand in the landscape.
In the historic center of Rome, traditional cafes continue the craft of Italian coffee. From 18th-century establishments to modern roasters, these places maintain specific preparation methods. Historic cafes like Antico Caffè Greco and Caffè Sant'Eustachio keep their original recipes. Roasters select and prepare their beans according to particular techniques, especially for Brazilian coffee. These establishments are spread between Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, and Trastevere.
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