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Colosseo, Italy

The first amphitheatre of the antiquity made of stone, the Colosseum, is recognized as the symbol of both, modern Rome and the grandeur of the Roman Empire. In the ancient times it was called the Flavian Amphiteatre, and the name "Colosseum" was given to it later. One of the main tourist attractions of Rome, visited by thousands of tourists every year, the Colosseum is situated right in the centre of the eternal city.

The architect of this remarkable building is unfortunately unknown. Elliptical in shape, the Colosseum has three floors of arcades and the fourth floor with windows. Every floor had eighty arched that were numbered to make the access to the seats easier for the spectators. Unfortunately, as the amphitheatre is nowadays partly in ruins, only thirty-one arches have remained.

The Colosseum represents a real mixture of architectural styles. The ground floor is adorned with Doric columns, there are Ionic columns on the second floor , while the upper floor features columns in the Corinthian style. As far as the arena is concerned, it measures seventy six by forty four metres. It was made of wood and covered with yellow stone brought from the hill of Monte Mario. There was a complex network of tunnels and passages used to introduce men and wild animals into the arena.

The construction of the Colosseum started in 72 A.D., and lasted for about eight years. During the five-days-long opening ceremony approximately 5000 wild animals were killed. The last spectacle took place probably in 523 A.D. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum was abandoned. Nowadays, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations. This architectural wonder delights travellers, historians and architects. Various shows and cultural events take place in the outstanding scenery of the amphitheatre.

The importance of the amphitheatre in the ancient times was enormous as it was the main place of entertainment for the citizens from the whole of Rome. The Colosseum could hold approximately 50.000 people. Both rich and poor citizens of Rome could participate in free shows and spectacles as various games were held in the Colosseum. The games were called ludi, which means games in honour of the gods. The ludi circenses, chariot races, was the most popular game. The amphitheatre was even used for staging naval battles in miniature.

The ludi gladiatori, the combats of gladiators, were probably the most exciting of all the games that took place in the Colosseum. The name of gladiators came from the "glaudius", the short sword with which they fought. All the gladiators, who were slaves, prisoners of war or criminals condemned to death, were trained in special schools in preparation for different types of combat. They had to participate in the so called venatio, a staged hunt of wild animals. But the duel between two gladiators was more popular: the retarius (armed with a net and a trident) and the secutor (armed with sword, helmet and shield). At the end of the fight, the gladiator who had been defeated asked the people for mercy. If they turned their thumbs down, it meant death. It is supposed that many Christians were killed during these bloody games. Therefore, since the 18th century the Stations of the Cross have taken place every year around the Colosseum.

Symbol of the eternal city, the Colosseum is probably the most important monument of Roman Empire. Its ancient character, rich history and the sounds of games and combats echoing in the building, make the Colosseum one of the places one must see while visiting Rome!