The Colosseum is the world-famous amphitheater, which is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Rome. Its “name” is translated from Latin as “colossal”, because at the time of construction it was the only building located in the center of Rome, and its size inspired fear and respect. Initially it was called the Flavian Amphitheatre, but the name did not stick.
Historical reference
Construction of the Colosseum began back in 72 at the behest of Emperor Vespasian. In this way he strengthened his possessions and got rid of his predecessor's palace. Construction work took 8 years.
The invasion of the barbarians “knocked down” the building, and the earthquake that occurred in 1349 destroyed most of it. In the 18th century, Benedict XIV proclaimed the amphitheater to be the place where the blood of Christian martyrs was shed and dedicated it to the Passion of Christ.
In 2007, it was recognized as the third wonder of the world, included in the 7 New Wonders of the World. Today it is a unique landmark of Italy, which has become a symbol of the country. Although gladiatorial and animal fights to the death took place here in ancient centuries, it still exudes majesty and beauty.
Architecture
The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheater. Its outer ellipse has a length of 524 meters, the length of the arena is 86 meters, its width is 34 meters. The height of the walls reaches 50 meters. The Colosseum was built on a foundation 13 meters thick.
The Flavian Amphitheater had approximately 80 entrances and, in addition to the arena, contained three tiers for spectators:
- the first consisted of 20 rows of benches where city officials and nobles sat;
- the second had 16 rows of benches, they were intended for Roman citizens;
- the third was the most inconvenient in case of need to exit. Free Romans with a minimum of rights were housed here.
The Colosseum has lost two-thirds of its original majesty, although its architecture is still amazing. It could accommodate up to 50,000 people, and several hundred more in the basement where the cells were located.
Features of the visit
The Colosseum is the only place in Rome where there are always gigantic queues, because so many tourists want to look at the landmark and the historical values that it stores. On the territory there is a museum of excavations carried out in the Colosseum.
Opposite is located, which knowledgeable tourists also recommend visiting. It offers an amazing view of the amphitheater. In addition, visiting the hill is included in the price of visiting the Colosseum.
Useful information for tourists
The Colosseum is guarded and entry is only possible by appointment. During the day it is open from 9:00 to 19:00 in summer and from 9:00 to 16:00 in winter. The outer walls are decorated with amazing illumination, so at night the Colosseum is especially beautiful when viewed from afar.
There are two days off a year when the attraction is closed to tourists - December 25 and January 1.
Incredible facts
Forgotten and neglected, the 2,000-year-old Roman Colosseum holds many secrets and there are many interesting facts about it.
Ancient Colosseum in Rome
1. Its real name is Flavian Amphitheater.
Construction of the Colosseum began in 72 AD. e. by order of Emperor Vespasian. In 80 AD e., under Emperor Titus (son of Vespasian), construction was completed. Together with Titus, Domitian (Tito's brother) ruled the country from 81 to 96. All three were Flavian dynasty, and in Latin the Colosseum was called Amphitheatrum Flavium.
2. There was a time when there was a giant statue of Nero next to the Colosseum - the Colossus of Nero.
The infamous Emperor Nero erected a giant bronze statue of himself, 35 meters high.
Initially, this statue was located in the vestibule of Nero's Golden House, but under Emperor Hadrian it was decided to move the statue closer to the amphitheater. Some believe the Colosseum was renamed after the Colossus of Nero.
3. The Colosseum was built on the site of a former lake.
The Golden House of Nero was built after the Great Fire of 64, and there was an artificial lake on its territory. After the death of Nero in 68 and a series of civil wars, in 69 Vespasian became emperor.
He nationalized Nero's palace, after which he completely destroyed it, and the land on which he stood transferred to public useto the people of Rome. All the expensive ornaments of the palace were removed and buried in the dirt, and later ( in 104-109 ) the Baths of Trajan were built on this site. The Romans usedcomplex underground irrigation system for draininglake near Nero's house, after which it was filled up and, by order of the emperor, the construction of an amphitheater began, intended for the entertainment of the people of Rome.
4. The Colosseum was built in 8 years.
After the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Emperor Vespasian completely destroyed The Temple of Jerusalem, from which only the “wailing wall” remains, which still stands to this day. After this, he began construction of the Colosseum using materials left over from the destruction of the Golden House.
5. This is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built.
The Colosseum can be called a “double amphitheater” (two half rings connected in the form of an oval). It is made of cement and stone. The length of the outer ellipse of the Colosseum is 524 meters, the major axis is 187.77 meters long, and the minor axis is 155.64 meters long. The Colosseum arena is 85.75 m long and 53.62 m wide, and the walls rise 48 - 50 meters.
The most important thing about this structure is that it is completely built of cast-in-place concrete, unlike other buildings made of bricks and stone blocks.
6. The Colosseum had 5 tiers and separate boxes.
The building was designed to accommodate both the poor and the rich. All spectators were divided into tiers depending on their social status and financial situation. Members of the Senate, for example, sat closer to the arena, and the rest of the residents on other tiers, which were distinguished by a lower price. On the very last - 5th tier - sat the poor. All tiers were numbered I-LXXVI (i.e. from 1 to 76). For People of different status there were different entrances and staircases, and there were also walls that separated them.
7. The Colosseum could accommodate 50,000 spectators.
Each person was allocated a seat only 35 cm wide. Today, not everyone football stadiums can boast the attendance that the Colosseum had.
Colosseum Arena
8. The battles between gladiators were organized with incredible care.
For 400 years, volunteers fought in the arena, former soldiers, military prisoners, slaves and criminals, all of which served as entertainment for the Romans. But the fighters were chosen for a reason. To enter the Colosseum arena, competing gladiators were selected based on their weight, size, experience, fighting skill and fighting style.
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9. The Colosseum became a cemetery huge amount animals.
In addition to fights between gladiators, the Romans organized battles between animals and demonstration hunting. In the arena, lions, elephants, tigers, bears, hippos and other exotic animals could be seen being killed or severely injured.
Fights with animals can be seen to this day - this is bullfighting ("tauromachy" - i.e. "bullfight"). Animal fights were called "morning games", and gladiator fights were called "evening games" The winners were given awards in the form of medals (bone or metal), and statistics were kept - the number of fights, victories and defeats.
Of course there were also deaths or gladiators received injuries that did not allow them to perform further. After his career as a gladiator, the former warrior received a lifelong pension.
More than 9,000 animals died during the opening of the arena and another 11,000 were killed during the 123-day festival hosted by Emperor Trajan. According to conservative estimates, during its entire existence, about 400,000 people and more than 1 million animals died in the Colosseum arena.
10. Grand battles on ships.
Surprisingly, the Colosseum arena was specially flooded by about 1 meter so that ship battles could be held. Reconstructions of warships were installed in the arena so that great naval victories could be celebrated. Water flowed through special aqueducts directly into the arena. All this could be seen before the Emperor Domitian, during which a basement was made in the Colosseum, where there were rooms, passages, traps and animals.
11. The Colosseum was abandoned for many centuries.
As bloody gladiator fights lost their spectacle and the Roman Empire began to collapse in the 5th century, the Colosseum ceased to be a venue for large public events. Moreover, earthquakes, lightning strikes and other natural phenomena significantly affected the structure.
It was only in the 18th century that the Catholic Church and many priests decided that the site of the Colosseum should be preserved.
12. The Colosseum was dismantled for building materials.
The beautiful stone and marble from which the Colosseum was made attracted the attention of many people. After the earthquake of 847, Roman priests and aristocrats began to collect the beautiful marble that adorned the façade of the Colosseum and use it to build churches and houses. Also, rubble stone and crushed stone were used in urban buildings for the construction of various city buildings.
It is worth noting that the Colosseum was used as a source of building materials for such buildings as the Palazzo Venice and the Lateran Basilica. The Colosseum marble was also used to build St. Peter's Basilica, the largest building in the Vatican, and the largest historical Christian church in the world.
13. One priest wanted to turn the Colosseum into a cloth factory.
The underground part of the Colosseum eventually filled with dirt, and for several centuries the Romans grew vegetables and stored them inside the building, while blacksmiths and merchants occupied the upper tiers.
Pope Sixtus V, who helped rebuild Rome in the late 16th century, attempted to convert the Colosseum into a cloth factory, with living quarters on the upper tiers and work space in the arena. But in 1590 he died, and the project was not implemented.
The most popular attraction in Rome
14. The Colosseum is the most visited attraction in Rome.
Along with the Vatican and its holy places, the Colosseum is the second most popular attraction in Italy and the most visited monument in Rome. Every year it is visited by 6 million tourists.
15. The Colosseum will finally be updated.
To begin with, it is planned to spend 20 million euros on the development of the arena. Billionaire Diego Della Valle also plans to invest $33 million to restore the Colosseum, which began in 2013 and includes restoring the arches, cleaning the marble, restoring the brick walls, replacing metal railings, and building a new one. tourist center and a cafe.
The Italian Ministry of Culture plans to restore the Colosseum to what it was like in the 19th century. Besides, they want to make a stage in the arenabased on images of the Colosseum from the 1800s, which will cover the underground tunnels that this moment open.
The Colosseum is the legendary Roman amphitheater, pride, national treasure and a magnificent, always and everywhere recognizable, symbol of beautiful Italy.
general information
The Colosseum is located in the very center of Rome, in a kind of valley, formed by 3: Caelium, Exvilinus and Palatine.
The dimensions of the ancient amphitheater are amazing: length - 187 m, width - 155 m, height - 50 m. But it received its name not because of its titanic dimensions, but because once on the square in front of it stood a monumental statue of Nero 35 m high height.
They could stay in the Colosseum from 50 to 83 thousand people(the largest modern stadium, located in the DPRK, seats 150 thousand).
From the time of construction until 405 AD. e. The Colosseum hosted gladiator fights, hunting wild animals, theatrical performances and water extravaganzas - navimachia, that is, grandiose shows imitating large-scale naval battles.
It is believed that hundreds of early Christians, who were considered dangerous rebels and responsible for the decline of the state, were tortured to death here.
After the collapse of Ancient Rome, the Colosseum languished in oblivion until the 18th century until he was taken under the protection of Pope Benedict XIV.
He consecrated the Colosseum as a cult place of death of the first Christian martyrs, and built many crosses and altars here. They were removed in 1874 and from that moment they began to restore the Colosseum as a cultural monument.
Currently, it is visited by about 5 million tourists a year, bringing the Italian authorities 50 million euros in income. Address: Italy, Rome, Piazza del Colosseo, 1.
Architecture and creators
Construction of the Colosseum in 72 AD was started by Emperor Vespasian, who, before his rise, managed to serve as praetor under Caligula, legate under Claudius and military leader under Nero.
After the death of Vespasian in 79, construction was continued by his son Titus, and after the death of Titus in 81, the construction of the Colosseum was continued and completed by Titus' brother and Vespasian's son, Emperor Domitian.
The name of the architect of the Colosseum is not known for certain; according to some sources, it could be Rabirius - the creator of Domitian's palace on Palantine Hill and the Baths of Titus.
From an architectural point of view, the Colosseum is a classic Roman amphitheater in the shape of an ellipse, in the middle of which there is an arena surrounded by rings of spectator stands.
The nobility sat on the soft seats of the lower stands, while the mob, women, slaves and foreigners sat on the hard wooden benches of the upper stands. In its heyday, there was a labyrinth under the arena, where wild animals were kept, and the arched openings of the 3rd and 4th tiers were decorated with statues and stucco moldings.
During the 20th century, the Colosseum burned repeatedly, suffered from earthquakes and was raided by barbarians. In the Middle Ages, its stones were used to build palaces for the nobility and homes for ordinary citizens.
In the 20th century The polluted air of Rome contributed to the deplorable state of the majestic building, vibrations from passing cars and thousands of tourists who want to take with them a piece of the Colosseum in the form of at least a tiny pebble.
All these factors led to the fact that by the beginning of the 21st century. The Colosseum has lost 2/3 of its original mass, which was 600 thousand tons.
To prevent death legendary amphitheater, in December 2013, Italian authorities decided to begin a grandiose restoration of the Colosseum, which may end in June-July 2015.
This did not affect tourists - they can still visit it freely.
Photos and the Colosseum on the map
You can admire the Colosseum in photographs, but not get lost A map will help you on its vast territory:
How it was built
The Colosseum was erected on the site of Nero's Golden Palace, which was almost completely destroyed after the suicide of the scandalous ruler.
A grandiose amphitheater was built using funds seized by Vespasian during the 1st Jewish War, which was victorious for the Romans. After the fall of Jerusalem 100 thousand slaves were brought to Rome who built the Colosseum.
The walls of the amphitheater are made of travertine, which was mined in the Trivoli quarries. Large marble blocks were carefully trimmed and fastened with steel staples.
The internal parts of the amphitheater were built of brick and tuff, and the powerful foundation, tiers and vaults were made of ancient Roman concrete, which its strength is many times greater than that of modern ones.
Practical information: opening hours, travel, tickets
Colosseum opening hours:
- last Sunday of October – January 15 – from 9 to 16.30;
- January 16 – March 15 – from 9 to 17;
- March 16 – last Saturday in March – from 9 to 17.30;
- last Sunday of March – August 31 – from 9 to 19.30;
- in September – 9-19;
- October 1 – last Saturday in October – 9-18.30.
Ticket price: 12 euros for adults, for those under 18 years old, admission is free (subject to availability of appropriate documents), audio guide in Russian – 5.5 €, video guide in Russian – 6 euros.
The ticket office closes 1 hour before the amphitheater itself closes. Closed: January 1, December 25.
How to get there:
- metro: Colosseo station, line B (two stops from Termini station);
- buses: 75, 81, 613;
- tram: line 3;
- walking: 12 min. from Termini station along Via Cavour.
If you are going to travel around Rome by metro, check out the travel plans, costs and operating hours in advance.
Don't know where to stay for the night? Meet hotels in the center of Rome with 3, 4 and 5 stars.
Some fun facts about the great Colosseum may be unknown even to experienced guides:
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Celebrations in honor of the opening of the Colosseum lasted 14 weeks and included sports competitions, gladiator fights and lavish theatrical performances. On the 1st day of opening in the amphitheater, According to various sources, from 5 to 9 thousand wild animals were killed.
In total, during the existence of the Colosseum, 300 thousand people and 10 million wild animals died in the arena.
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In ancient Rome, it was impossible to simply go and buy tickets to the Colosseum; seats were reserved for various guilds, unions, associations, or a special invitation from an influential person was required.
Dress uniform was mandatory, for example, men had to wear togas. Drinking wine was prohibited in the stands. Only an all-powerful emperor could violate this ban.
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Judging by the data of excavations, in particular those carried out in the Colosseum, gladiators were vegetarians, but not for ideological reasons.
Plentiful plant food (barley cakes, bread, beans, vegetables, root vegetables) allowed them to grow fat layer, which served as additional protection during battles.
- Due to its far from brilliant state of preservation, the “understudy” of the Colosseum in films is often the smaller, but much better preserved Tunisian amphitheater El Jem. He "replaced" his Roman counterpart in the film "Gladiator".
- The Colosseum is included in the list of 7 new wonders of the world. On this list he is the only representative of European civilization.
Once drenched in blood, the Colosseum now embodies the humanistic values of the new Europe. Usually its backlight is white, but since 2000 it sometimes changes to yellow - this means that somewhere in the world Some prisoner's death penalty was replaced with another punishment.
In Italy itself, the death penalty has not been used since 1947, although it was officially abolished only in 2009 (in the Vatican - in 1969, even for those who attempted to assassinate the Pope).
Some simple tips will make a tour of the Colosseum not only educational, but also easy on the wallet:
- It is highly recommended to purchase a Roma Pass - a special travel pass that allows you to use public transport and visit 2 museums for 3 days without additional payment.
- Roma Pass holders can visit the Colosseum without waiting in line. Its price for 3 days is 36 euros, for 2 days – 28 euros. You can purchase it at train stations (in Italy) or on the website http://www.romapass.it/ (site in English).
- In Italy, as in other countries E.S. European Heritage Days are held. On such days, entrance to museums is either free or costs 1 euro. The Heritage Days schedule can be found at http://europeanheritagedays.com.
- Summer is not best time to visit both Rome and the Colosseum due to the heat and seasonal influx of tourists. If possible, it's worth going there in late autumn or winter.
- In order not to suffer in endless queues, you should arrive either strictly before 9 am or after lunch.
Video of the Colosseum
For those who still doubt whether to go to Rome, will help you make the only right decision video with the beauty of the Colosseum:
Over 20 centuries, the Colosseum has not lost either its splendor or grandeur, and continues to excite the imagination and hearts of both the Italians themselves and millions of admiring tourists.
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The Colosseum is one of the main symbols of Rome. The grandiose structure of the ancient world amazes contemporaries with its scale, historical significance and well-preserved form. Even today, being in the Colosseum itself, it is easy to imagine the events of the past that once unfolded in the arena of this colossal amphitheater.
The name of the structure “colosseus” is translated from Latin as “huge”. Of course, in the 1st century AD it was truly a huge creation of architecture, because the height of other buildings generally did not exceed 10 meters. It is not surprising that since July 7, 2007, the Colosseum has been one of the seven “New Wonders of the World”.
History of the Colosseum
Construction of the Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater (Amphitheatrum Flavium) began in 72 AD and took a total of about 8 years. It is noteworthy that two emperors of the Flavian dynasty took part in its construction, in honor of which the stadium received its original name.
Emperor Vespasian (Titus Flavius Vespasianus), under whom the first stone of the stadium was laid, ruled the Roman Empire since 69 AD. He financed the restoration of many buildings, including the Capitol. And in 72, the emperor decided to implement a more ambitious project and build the world's largest amphitheater.
The location for the future building was not chosen by chance. The Colosseum was supposed to outshine the "Golden House" (Domus Aurea) of Emperor Nero (Nero Clavdius Caesar), previously located at the passage to the Forum, and thereby symbolize the power of the new ruler. According to historians, at least 100,000 slaves and prisoners of war who were captured after the war with the Jews were engaged in construction work.
When Emperor Vespasian died in 80 AD, the construction of the Colosseum took place during the reign of his son, Emperor Titus (Titus Flavius Vespasianus). The completion of the work was celebrated with a festive ceremony and illuminated by the name of the family - the Flavian Amphitheater.
origin of name
It is believed that the Colosseum received its second name from the huge statue of the cruel Emperor Nero, located in front of it, and called “Colossus”. However, this opinion is not true. Colosseus was named so precisely because of its enormous size.
Location
A magnificent building from the ancient era, testifying to the power of Ancient Rome, is located between three hills: Palatino, Celio and Esquilino. It is located in the eastern part of the Roman Forum.
Games
As you know, after the construction of the amphitheater came to an end, large-scale games were organized with the participation of gladiators and wild animals, lasting for 100 days. And then, for many years, this great building served as the main entertainment place for the townspeople, where countless gladiator fights, naval battles, executions, animal battles, reconstructions were held historical wars, as well as performances based on ancient myths.
In the first centuries, performances in the stadium were a vital part of Roman life. And its name - the Flavian Amphitheater - until the 8th century reminded the townspeople of the famous founding emperor.
The Colosseum was even chosen by the townspeople to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Rome, which took place in 248.
The motto of this large stadium was the famous phrase “Panem et circenses” (“bread and circuses”). Everything that people needed, besides food, happened here: bloody battles and mortal battles.
However, not everyone was happy with such cruelty in the arena. The monk Telemachus first spoke out against the bloody notions in 404 AD, when during a competition he jumped up from the podium and demanded that the fight be cancelled. In response to this, the spectators stoned him. A little more time passed, and already in 523, when Ancient Rome finally turned to Christianity, Emperor Honorius Augustus (Flavius Honorius Augustus) banned gladiator fights. However, the animal battles continued. After this, the Colosseum was no longer as popular as before.
Destruction and restoration
Since the Colosseum was very popular among local residents at that time, Emperor Titus and his brother Domitian (Titus Flavius Domitianus), as well as the emperors who succeeded them, improved the stadium from time to time.
The great ancient structure was subjected to great destruction twice in history.
The first time significant damage to the Colosseum was caused by a fire, which occurred at the end of the 1st century during the reign of Emperor Macrinus. At the same time, the stadium was restored during the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus (Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexandrus) at the beginning of the 2nd century.
The second significant destruction was caused to the amphitheater in the 5th century during the invasion of the barbarians, after which the largest construction of the ancient era long time was not used and was in oblivion.
Middle Ages
In the late 6th century, the Colosseum was used as a memorial site for early Christians who were doomed to die. Thus, a sanctuary was built in the inner space of the stadium, and the arena was turned into a cemetery. In the arches and niches of the structure there were workshops and trade shops.
Beginning in the 12th century, the Colosseum passed through the hands of many prominent Roman families as a bastion until the amphitheater was returned to Roman government. So, in 1200 the Colosseum was transferred to the noble Frangipane family. And in the 14th century, the stadium was badly damaged by a powerful earthquake. As a result of this, the outer side from the south almost completely collapsed.
Gradually, such an ancient structure began to collapse more and more, and some popes and famous Romans did not hesitate to use its elements to decorate their own palaces in the 15th century. So, in the XV and 16th centuries Pope Paul II took material from the Colosseum for the construction of his Venetian palace, Paul III for the construction of the Palazzo Farnese, and Cardinal Riario for the palace of the chancellery. Many architects tried to break out the bronze partitions from the structure.
In the 16th century, Pope Sixtus V wanted to open a wool processing plant at the stadium. Since the beginning of the 17th century, bullfights have been held in the Colosseum - entertainment that replaced gladiator fights.
The Colosseum began to receive attention again, but from the church, during the time of Pope Benedict XIV in the mid-18th century, who by his decree ordered to turn the Colosseum into Catholic Church. It’s hard to imagine the Colosseum as a church, given all the cruelty and bloodshed that took place in its arena, isn’t it? But it was in honor of the thousand victims of the Colosseum that he made this decision.
After Pope Benedict XIV, other popes continued the tradition of reviving ancient architectural monuments.
Restoration
During the 19th century, construction work was carried out to excavate the stadium arena and restore the façade. The Colosseum received its current appearance during the reign of Mussolini (Benito Mussolini).
It was only in the 20th century that the Colosseum was completely restored. The work lasted for 9 years - exactly the same as it took to build it. The restored amphitheater was reopened as a historical landmark on July 19, 2000.
In 2007, the New Open World Corporation held a competition in which people around the world voted to select the New Seven Wonders of the World. And the Colosseum took first place among historical monuments.
Modern times
Perhaps the longest line of tourists lines up at the entrance to the Colosseum. The line stretches all the way to the Arch of Constantine. Moreover, the desire of tourists from all over the world to see this ancient monument does not depend on the season.
In addition to the main tourist site, the ancient Colosseum, restored and reopened in 2000, today also serves as an arena for various spectacular public events and colorful shows.
Currently, the Colosseum hosts fascinating excursions that allow you to plunge into ancient times. This grandiose structure is especially beautiful at night, thanks to special lighting.
Performances on the stage of the Colosseum
Of course, the stadium's interior has now been partially destroyed, but approximately 1,500 spectator seats are still in use. Such world performers as Billy Joel, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Ray Charles performed on the stage of the Colosseum in 2002.
The Colosseum in cinema and art
The stadium is often used in literature, cinema, music and computer games. Films: Roman Holiday and Gladiator. Computer games: Age of Empires, Assassins' Creed, Civilization.
Architecture of the Colosseum
The capacity of the Colosseum was designed for 50 thousand spectators. Having the shape of an ellipse, the diameter of its oval is 188 m and 156 m, and the height is 50 m. This structure was truly the largest in the history of the ancient world.
According to scientists, the current Colosseum is only a third of the former amphitheater. And 50,000 spectators could fit in this amphitheater at the beginning of our era completely freely, while another 18,000 visitors were standing.
Construction material
The façade was faced with travertine, like many buildings in Ancient Rome. The main concentric and radial walls of the building are made from this natural limestone.
Travertine mining took place near Tivoli, which is located 35 km from Rome. The initial processing and delivery of the stone was carried out by prisoners, and the final processing was carried out by Roman craftsmen. Of course, the quality of processing this building material with improvised materials in the 1st century AD is still surprising.
The blocks were connected using special iron brackets. Total the metal spent on these staples is about 300 tons. Unfortunately, in the Middle Ages, many iron structures were pulled out by local craftsmen, so today in their place you can see big holes. The design of the Colosseum suffered greatly because of this, but nevertheless, the greatest building of all time retains its shape to this day.
In addition to travertine, brick, concrete and volcanic tuff were also used to build the amphitheater. Thus, brick and concrete were used for internal floors and partitions, and tuff for the construction of the upper tiers.
Design
Structurally, the Colosseum consists of 240 large arches arranged in three tiers around the circumference of an ellipse. The walls of the structure are made of concrete and terracotta bricks. The total amount of terracotta stone required for the amphitheater is about 1 million pieces.
The frame of the Colosseum consists of 80 intersecting walls that extend in all directions from the arena, as well as 7 concentric walls built around the circumference of the arena. Directly above these walls there were rows of spectators. The concentric walls on the outside consist of four tiers, with the first three tiers having arches 7 meters high each.
Entrances to the Colosseum
Another innovation used in the construction of the amphitheater is the uniform arrangement of a large number of entrances along the perimeter of the structure. This technique is also used in modern times during the construction of sports complexes. It was due to this that spectators could walk through and leave the Colosseum in just 10 minutes.
In addition to 76 entrances for ordinary citizens, there were 4 more entrances for noble persons. Of these 76 moves, 14 were also intended for horsemen. Entrances for citizens were marked with a serial number. The central exit from the north was intended specifically for the emperor and his accompanying retinue.
To visit the amphitheater in Ancient Rome, you had to buy a ticket (table) with a row and seat number. Spectators walked to their seats through vomitoriums, which were located under the stands. They could also be used to quickly exit the Colosseum in case of evacuation. The system of stairs and corridors was well thought out, so that there was no crowding and the possibility of a meeting between a representative of one class and another.
Colosseum inside
Inside the ancient structure there were vaulted galleries where spectators could rest. Craftsmen also traded here. It seems that all the arches are the same, but in reality they are located at different angles and the shadows also fall on them differently.
Arches
You could enter the amphitheater through the arches located on the first tier, and then climb to the next tiers using stairs. Spectators were seated around the arena along the perimeter of the ellipse.
tiers
The first tier of the Colosseum has 76 spans, intended for entering the stadium. The Roman numbering above them has been well preserved to this day.
In addition to the large number of arches, the distinctive feature of the Colosseum is its numerous pillars of different styles. They served not only to protect the structure from destruction, but also to lighten the weight of the entire structure.
In the heaviest lower tier there are semi-columns of the Doric order, on the concrete second tier there are columns of the Ionic style, on the third tier there are Corinthian columns with richly decorated capitals.
Some sources also say that the arches on the second and third tiers were complemented by statues made of white marble. Although there is no confirmation of this version, perhaps such decoration was included in the construction design.
Velarium (canopy made of canvas)
On the fourth tier of the Colosseum, which was built a little later, there are rectangular holes for stone supports on which a special awning was attached. This awning was stretched over 240 wooden masts and was intended to protect spectators from the sun and rain. The canopy was operated by sailors specially trained for this purpose. The total number of sailors to pull the awning was several thousand people.
Seats for spectators
Seats for spectators in the amphitheater were arranged in a hierarchy. The emperor and his entourage sat closest to the arena, and above were representatives of the city authorities. Even higher were the tribunes of the Roman warriors - maenianum primum, and further - the tribunes for wealthy citizens (maenianum secundum). Then came the places for ordinary people. after which ordinary Roman townspeople sat down. However, the lowest classes were located even higher, in the last rows.
Separate places were reserved for boys with teachers, foreign guests, and soldiers on leave.
Arena
Since the arena was elliptical in shape, it was not possible for gladiators or animals to escape death or blows by hiding in a corner. The boards on the floor were easily removed before naval battles. In the basement below the arena there were cells for slaves, as well as cages for animals. There were also office premises there.
The arena had two entrances. The first, the “Gate of Triumph” (Porta Triumphalis), was intended for gladiators and animals to enter the arena. Those gladiators who won the battle returned through the same gate. And those who lost were carried away through the “Gate of Libitinaria” (Porta Libitinaria), named after the goddess of death.
Hypogeum
Under the arena there was a deep underground room (hypogeum). In modern times, this room can be clearly seen. It includes a two-level system of cages and tunnels. Gladiators and animals were kept here.
The stage was equipped complex system turns and various devices for special effects, many of which have not survived to this day. To lift gladiators and animals into the arena, a special elevator system consisting of 80 vertical lifts was used. A hydraulic system was even discovered there that allowed the arena to be quickly lowered and raised.
The hypogeum connected a network of underground tunnels with any points of the amphitheater, and there were also many passages outside the Colosseum. Gladiators and animals were brought from nearby barracks. In addition, there was a special passage in the dungeon for the needs of the emperor and the Vestals.
Close to the Colosseum
Near the stadium there was a gladiator school - Ludus Magnus ("Great Training Ground"), as well as the Ludus Matutinus school, where war training in battles with animals took place.
How to get to the Colosseum
To get to the impressive Colosseum, located near the Forum and the Arch of Constantine, you can take metro line B, getting off at the Colosseo station of the same name. There is also tram number 3 to the Colosseum, or numerous buses that travel around the city center - for example, buses number 60, 75, 81, 85, 87, 117, 175, 271, 571, 673, 810.
Address of the Colosseum: Piazza del Colosseo.
Opening hours
The Colosseum's opening hours are reduced by an hour depending on the peak tourist season and time of year. The amphitheater is open from April to September daily from 9.00 to 19.00, from March to April - from 9.00 to 17.00, from January to March - from 9.00 to 16.00, from October to January - from 9.00 to 15.00.
Not so long ago it was possible to enter the stadium even at night, but this caused great damage to the structure, so visiting hours were set only during the day. Although at night you can admire the Colosseum from the street - it is very beautifully illuminated.
Ticket price
The cost of visiting the Colosseum is 12 Euros per adult, and free for children under 18 years old (as of 2019). For exhibition events you will have to pay an additional 2 Euros. For pensioners, schoolchildren and students, discounted tickets cost 7.50 Euro. The ticket is a single ticket for visiting the Roman Forum, Palatine and Colosseum, valid for two days from the time of the first visit.
Attention, you can visit the Colosseum for free on the first Sunday of every month!
At the Colosseum you can take a tour in one of the main European languages, which takes place every half hour. The price of the excursion is 4.50 Euro.
How to buy tickets to the Colosseum without queuing
If you decide to buy a ticket at the entrance to the Colosseum, you will have to arrive very early or spend several hours in line. In order not to stand in a huge queue for several hours, you can choose a more reasonable option: buy a single ticket for 12 Euros at the Palatine Hill ticket office, located on Via di San Gregorio, building 30, or Piazza Santa Maria -Nova (Piazza Santa Maria Nova), building 53 (only 200 m from the Colosseum), as well as at the ticket office of the Roman Forum.
Another option is to buy a ticket on the official website in advance with a fixed visiting time.
Hotel overlooking the Colosseum
If you want to stay in a hotel located right next to the Colosseum, then choose the Mercure Roma Centro 4 star hotel. It was renovated in 2013 and is famous for its comfort and cozy interior. This hotel is deservedly popular, because this particular hotel has a terrace overlooking Rome and the Flavian Amphitheater. And there is a swimming pool on the roof of the hotel.
Address: Via Labicana, 125.
You can book this or any other hotel on the website hotellook.ru.
Excursions in Rome
If you want something more interesting than the traditional walk around the city on a map, then try new format sightseeing. In modern times, unusual excursions from local residents are becoming increasingly popular! After all, who knows the history and most interesting places of Rome better than a local resident?
You can view all excursions and choose the most intriguing one on the website.
Detailed description with photo. Interesting facts about the Colosseum and location on the map.
Colosseum - Flavian Amphitheater
Coliseum- a grandiose amphitheater in Rome, one of the most famous buildings of Antiquity. This is a true symbol of the Eternal City and one of its main attractions. It is correct to call the Colosseum the Flavian amphitheater - after the dynasty of emperors under which this mass was built.
Story
The Colosseum was built in just 8 years. Construction began in 72 AD. under Emperor Vespasian, and ended in 80 AD. under Emperor Titus.
Having become emperor after the despot Nero, Vespasian decided to strengthen his power. To do this, he came up with an interesting move - to demolish Nero's palace (Golden House), which, together with the park, occupied 120 hectares of the center of Rome and build imperial institutions, and fill up the pond at the palace and build a grandiose amphitheater for the entertainment of the people.
The amphitheater was built by slaves who were brought to Rome after Vespasian's military victories in Judea. According to scientists, the labor of 100 thousand slaves was involved in the construction of the Colosseum. Slaves were used for the most difficult work - for mining and delivering travertine from Tivoli to Rome (about 25 km), lifting heavy objects, etc. Also, a large group of sculptures, artists and engineers worked on the design of the Colosseum.
The opening of the Colosseum was celebrated with grandiose games. The amphitheater was the center of cruel entertainment spectacles of Ancient Rome for almost three and a half centuries - gladiatorial fights, animal persecution. People and animals died here for the amusement of the crowd and patricians. Until at the beginning of the 5th century the emperor of the Roman Empire banned gladiatorial fights. It was then that Christianity became the main religion of the great Empire. And one of its most colossal structures will see its saddest times.
The Middle Ages and the New Age left strong scars on the amphitheater: first, the invasion of barbarians left the amphitheater in disrepair, then it was a fortress for noble families in the mid-14th century strong earthquake The southern wall of the amphitheater collapsed. The great structure became a source of building material - it was broken down and dismantled for the construction of new buildings and church cathedrals and palaces.
This continued until the mid-18th century, when the Colosseum came under the protection of Pope Benedict XIV.
Currently, the Colosseum is under state protection. Where possible, the debris was put back in place. Yes, the amphitheater has lost its former internal and external attractiveness, but even so it is simply stunning. Despite the protection, the Colosseum still suffers - the urban environment, exhaust gases and vibrations do not benefit the giant.
Description
The Colosseum is shaped like a giant ellipse. This is the largest amphitheater of antiquity, striking in its size - the outer axis is 524 meters long, the dimensions of the platform are 85 x 53 meters, and the height is from 48 to 50 meters.
The walls of the Colosseum are built from large pieces of travertine. The amphitheater had many entrances and exits. The lower rows were reserved for the rich. Simpler people occupied the top rows. To protect from the scorching Roman sun, masts were provided, on which a giant awning was pulled.
- Initially, the amphitheater was named after the Flavians, the dynasty of emperors who built it. The name Colosseum was established only in the 8th century and comes from the Latin word colossal.
- The foundation of the structure is 13 meters thick.
- Thanks to engineering and design solutions, spectators could fill the amphitheater in 15 minutes and leave in 5 minutes. Some of the solutions that were used during its construction are still used in the construction of large sports facilities.
- The amphitheater had 80 entrances and 76 staircases.
- The Colosseum could accommodate 50,000 people (according to some sources, 70,000 people). Bigger than some modern stadiums!
Opening hours and ticket prices
Operating mode:
- 08.30 - 16.30: November-February
- 08.30 - 19.15: March-August
- 08.30 - 19.00: September
- 08.30 - 18.30: October
Ticket prices
- Adults - 12 euros.
- EU citizens from 18 to 25 years old - 7.5 euros
- Children (under 18 years old) - free
Tickets are valid for 2 days from the date of first use. With these tickets you can also visit the Roman Forum and vice versa. There is a little trick: there are usually long queues at the Colosseum ticket office, so you can buy tickets at the Forum ticket office.
Online camera with a view of the Colosseum - http://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/lazio/roma/colosseo.html
Video about the Colosseum
