The Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheatre in origin, is a huge oval amphitheater in the center of the city of Rome, between the Esquiline and Celio, the largest ever built in the empire; one of the greatest works of Roman architecture. It was built between 70 and 80 AD. JC. He was used to fighting wildlife, gladiatorial combats, death row executions, re-enactments of famous battles and dramas based on Classical mythology, which could accommodate between 50,000 and 75,000 spectators. It stopped being used in the early Middle Ages but it had other uses such as housing, artisan workshops, the seat of a religious order, a fortress, a quarry and a Christian Catholic shrine. Schools of gladiators and other outbuildings were built nearby. He suffered several earthquakes that caused the partial destruction of some walls and its stones were reused to build other buildings like churches or palaces. The surviving part of the outer wall of the monumental façade consists of three levels of overlapping arches topped by a platform on which there is an attic with tall windows at regular intervals and there are also 31 arches of the outer ring which has remained intact. Each level has 80 arches framed by half-columns and the attic is decorated with pilasters. The arena measures 83 × 48 m and its floor was covered with sand wood which avoided fighters to slip easily absorbed bloodshed and could be quickly replaced.
Tips
The first Sunday of each month, the entrance is free.
The ticket includes admission to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine. It is valid for 2 days.
The price is reduced for people in the European Union between 18 and 24, and for EU teachers.
