Inside the Colosseum - Rome's Most Iconic Landmark

Italy's most iconic landmark, the Colosseum in Rome stands as the largest surviving amphitheater in the world. One of the seven wonders of the world, the monument was built between 72 AD and 80 AD in the heart of ancient Rome under Emperor Vespasian. Built with stone and concrete, the arena was as tall as a 12-story building and had four seating levels and one underground level. The Colosseum is one of the most popular attractions in the world and welcomes over 5 million visitors every year. The grand amphitheater was used as an arena for hosting gladiator fights, animal hunts, and reenactments of famous battles. The Colosseum was often flooded with water to perform mock sea battles. Gladiator fights often included animals such as lions, tigers, and rhinos. The arena had 36 trapdoors along with underground cells also known as hypogeum to hold gladiators and wild animals before the games. The entrance of the building had 80 numbered archways to light the arena and guide the guests to their seats. The Colosseum could accommodate around 70,000 spectators. They were seated based on their social status. The elite sat closest to the arena and the lower class citizens higher up. The Colosseum is open for visitors every Sunday to Saturday. The Colosseum remains closed on December 25, January 1, and May 1. The best time to visit the Colosseum to avoid the crowd is during weekday afternoons. Pair your Colosseum experience with a visit to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, Vatican Museum, and Borghi's Gallery. You can plan your next visit to Colosseum with Head Out and Choose from our exclusive list of experiences for the attraction. Please click on the link in the description below for more. The tickets to the Colosseum will get you access to the arena floor. You can visit the underground and the 4th and 5th seating levels with special access tickets. Tickets to the Colosseum also include access to the ruins of Roman Forum and Palatine Hill nearby. For more updates and guides, follow our blog, link in the description below.