Colosseum, Rome
The Colosseum, also spelled Roman Coliseum and known to Italians as Il Colosseo, is considered by many to be the symbol of Rome. It was built by Vespasian and completed by Titus in 80 AD. While only the skeleton of this Flavius amphitheater remains, it was the biggest and most imposing in the Roman Empire. As you tour the Roman Colosseum imagine what it looked like then. The first three floors had 80 arches each. The arches on the second and third floors were decorated with enormous statues. The Colosseum in Rome was once completely covered in travertine stone. It seated more than 50,000 peopl... Read Moree. The Colosseum's elliptical shape ensured there wasn't a bad view in the house. To celebrate it's opening, Titus held a ceremony lasting 100 days. The performances included gladiator games and wild animal hunts known as venationes. For the naumachia, the Colosseum was filled with water and naval battles were staged. What happened to all the missing pieces? The Popes who ruled Rome in the Middle Ages used the Colosseum as a quarry. They removed the marble, iron and lead and used it to build edifices around the city.
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Getting There
The Colosseum is located at Piazza Colosseo 1 in the center of Rome. Metro line B, tram 3 and city buses 60, 75, 85, 87, 117, 175, 186, 271, 571, 810 and 850 all stop nearby. The Roman Colosseum is an easy walk from Trajan's Market, Capitoline Museums and Roman Forum.
Hours & Times
The Colosseum is open daily 8:30 to one hour before sunset (16:30 in winter, 19:15 in summer). The last entrance is 60 minutes before the close. It is closed January 1, May 1 and December 25 and closes at 14:00 on Good Friday.
Admission & Fees
Tickets to the Roman Colosseum can be purchased at the monument as well as the Palatine Hill (Via di San Gregorio 30) and Roman Forum (Largo Salaria Vecchia 5/6) ticket booths. Tickets can be purchased online for an additional charge. The entrance fee is €9 for adults, €4.5 for EU students aged 18-24 and free of charge for EU children (under 18) and EU seniors (over 65). A €3 supplement is charged for exhibits. The 3 monument pass (Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum) is €12 for adults, €7.50 for EU students aged 18-24 and free of charge for EU children (under 18) and EU seniors (over 65). Tourist Cards, valid for 3 days, offer discounted admission (entrance to the first 2 is free) to a variety of Rome monuments, museums and events and entitle holders to ride free on public transport. Roma Pass is €25; Roma & Più Pass costs €30.
Things to Keep in Mind
The Colosseum is an outdoor attraction. Allow at least an hour for an unguided tour. If viewing the exhibit, add another 60 minutes.
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