
Colosseum, Rome
Structure of the Colosseum
Built as an amphitheatre for the Roman games, the structure is elliptical in shape. As you cross the arch to the inside, one sees what remains of it. It is not really hard to imagine what it must have been in its glory days. The picture below is a view as you enter. One clearly sees 3 levels – the first level is where you can climb to, the second is closed and the third partially exists. As you stand at the ground floor, you can see the underground maze and tunnels, where the games actually began.



The underground mazes of the Colosseum












Everywhere in the Colosseum, you can find some ancient mystery and history. What has been described in the blog are just high points, but the actual experience is far more fascinating. So to all you travelers, just step into the Colosseum, close your eyes and get the vivid images of the Gladiators in those glory days.
Useful tips and facts about the Colosseum:
- There is a free entry to the Colosseum on the first Sunday of every month.
- At a time, only 3000 visitors are allowed in and hence, it is advisable to book your tickets in advance, especially if you are headed to the monument on a public holiday.
- Europeans have a free entry to the Colosseum. For the rest, one needs to procure tickets by either reaching the place early or through phone/ online booking. You can book online through this site. The same site also, gives you the ticket prices as well as a telephone number for phone booking.
- Radio guides are available at the venue.
- Please note the opening and closing times on the same website. At different times of the year, they have different closing times.
- Advisable to go with flat shoes as the flooring is quite uneven and the staircase quite high.
- Look up the official website for special events that allow access to the third level as well as the underground maze. You can also, avail an organized tour for a complete experience of the Colosseum
- Combine this trip with a few other sights around Rome. Here is a post that suggests what you can do in Rome in 2 days.
- The Colosseum is quite central to Rome. The close by areas include Piazza Venezia. There are restrictions on the vehicular traffic on Sundays.
- The route to the place is quite pedestrian friendly and one can walk with their strollers or just bike down to the Colosseum.
- In terms of the public transport, here are the key Metro, Bus lines as well as Tram lines.
- Tramway line no 3.
- “B” line Metro station Colosseo
- “A” line Metro station Manzoni, with a link to Tramway line no. 3
- Bus lines 60, 75, 85, 87, 271, 571, 175, 186, 810, 850, C3
- Electric minibus 117
Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.
I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.
Bharat R Ram
Nice writeup. Makes me feel like planning a trip.
Archana Chaurasia Kapoor
beautiful… reminded me of my trip to the Colosseo 🙂 thanks for sharing…
cheers, Archana – http://www.drishti.co
Arun Prasadh
Beautiful pics.
Restless Traveler
Thanks Archana for your kind comments. Am glad it triggered some memories for you.
Do keep visiting my blog and reading on more.
Cheers
Restless Traveler
Thank you Arun for your kind comments. Do check out my other posts as well.
Cheers
SelfDrive Trips
Amazing pics……..
Indrani
It is an amazing structure. Each time I see it in pics it excites me.
My memories of my visit triggered now. 🙂
Restless Traveler
Thank you for the compliments. Please do continue reading my blog.
Cheers
Restless Traveler
Thank you Indrani. Colosseum does tend leave you with that kind of feeling. It definitely is an everlasting impression.
Do keep reading and sharing your views with me.
Cheers
The Travelling Chilli
Nice article and great photos. I've been to the collosseum a few times and everytime I'm amazed by its structure. It's so nice to see 🙂
Ami Bhat
Thanks for the compliments. The colosseum never fails to amaze its visitors. And each time am sure you discover something new.
Cheers
Sandy N Vyjay
The Colosseum is really magnificent. One gets lost in history in the labyrinths twists and turns of the monument. The sounds of the clanking of swords as gladiators fight unto death seems to hang in the air.
Ami
You bet. The Colosseum just brings alive the gladiators.
Keshav Padvi
Thank You for the good information. and i enjoyed your article. Thank you.
Ami
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by