Certain events should never occur such as visiting Rome without visiting the Colosseum is just one example.
The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater built in the world, and also the most visited site in Italy. However, if you believe its popularity is solely based on its amazing dimensions and the ancient gladiator fights then you’re wrong. The stupendous and bizarre Colosseum was able to impact life of Romans and their guests for centuries after its glory days.
You’re still wondering what you need to know about the place? Find out 10 reasons why you should go to The Roman Colosseum and discover!
1. The hypogeum can be seen.
We all heard about the gladiator wars that were held at The Colosseum’s Arena. What if I said the arena is no more? Yes, you’re right!! I wouldn’t believe it if anyone had said it to me.
It’s true, and it’s a lot of fun thinking about the look on my face as I walked into the Colosseum for the first time, only to discover the arena had no flooring.
The Colosseum’s arena was totally destroyed by archaeologists in 19th century. It has not been rebuilt completely. A small portion of it was rebuilt in order for guests to experience a gladiator experience during tours.
I must admit I was somewhat surprised to find that. I wanted to see the stadium that I would often imagine in my mind. However, it only took me two minutes to let go of my sadness and look at the positive aspects and clearly see the hypogeum!
The word hypogeum comes from the Greek word that means underground. It is the underground area below the arena and bleachers of the Colosseum. In the hypogeum, gladiators as well as animals were kept prior to the start of each battle and was also where the 36 trap doors that were used for special effects were hid. It was basically the Colosseum’s backstage.
Because there is no arena anymore and the hypogeum can be seen beautifully exposed.
The underground area resembles an intricate labyrinth. You can explore it on the special tour. If you’re a historian and adventure enthusiast like me and have a few euros, this tour is a great idea. The underground tour is offered through a number of travel agents. If you’re looking to keep the additional euros in your pockets You know that you’ll still be able to gaze at the hypogeum using an ordinary ticket.
2. Battles between naval forces took place inside
Archaeologists weren’t the only ones to take down the arena at the Colosseum. The floor made of wood lined with sand which the Romans initially used had been taken away prior to the Colosseum filled with water to hold simulation naval combats.
Amazing, right? Romans actually did succeed in turning their Colosseum into a huge swimming pool, and even having battles with the sea inside!
The battles, known as naumachiae were not very well-known, however; and they stopped completely around 1 AD, when the Romans removed the wooden support structures with brick walls, making it nearly impossible to have the Colosseum to be flooded again.
Unfortunately we have to say that there aren’t evidence of the Naumachiae. But, with a in imagination you could still imagine them inside or around the Colosseum.
3. The seven entrances to hell.
The Colosseum was abandoned after the collapse of the Roman Empire. After the Colosseum was damaged through fires and earthquakes, not person even thought of restoring it. The ruined stones were instead used to construct other structures across the city.
The fragments from the Colosseum were removed without regrets since, during the Middle Ages, the then-called Flavian Amphitheater (named in honor of its patron, the Flavian Dynasty of Emperors) was not regarded as a monument. As an emblem of pagan times it also served as an agro-cultural site for the most powerful authority in Medieval Rome which was Rome’s Catholic Church.
Because of its deteriorating condition and the sheer number of people who perished in the Colosseum – a staggering 500,000 and 1,000,000 animals – macabre tales about the Colosseum quickly became popular.
Following every gladiatorial contest there would be a grouchy figure show up in the arena, to check whether the gladiator had died. At the time of Middle Ages, this figure could have been associated with the ferryman who would collect souls who die which led into the notion that the Colosseum could be one of the seven entrances to hell.
Medieval Romans believe that the Colosseum is haunted by ghosts of dead gladiators. Also, they believed that witches and wizards utilized the plants they found inside the ruin to make magical potions.
Truth is, the amphitheater also had its own reasons to make you shiver in the medieval era. The amphitheater was an ancient cemetery at some period in time and criminals may use the ruin to conceal the remains of the victims.
4. It was a beautiful garden
Medieval Romans were given a plausible evidence to suggest that witches and wizards utilized special plants within the Colosseum to create magical potions. The Colosseum was a natural garden and when botanists began to study the plants within they found that a lot of them were very special.
Botanical studies at the Colosseum began in 1643 when Domenico Panaroli identified 337 species of plant within the ruin. In the year 1850, English botanist Richard Deakin discovered around 420 species. Certain of them were widespread in Italy while others, however were not found in Europe in any way.
One popular theory is that when the ancient Romans transported wild animals to Africa to their homes for entertainment Many of the animals were carrying seeds in their stomachs and furs. However, this theory has not been proven.
From where did these exotic plants come from, botanists claim they were able to thrive in the Colosseum because of the presence of microclimates in the.
Today, the Colosseum has become the garden of fairytales. The 19th century after Italian nationalists defeated the Pope and the Pope’s successor, the new Italian government turned over the Colosseum to archaeologists. The 20th century saw the arena’s floor had been removed, as did most of the plants.
If you pay attention If you pay attention, you’ll be able to see a few tiny plants growing on the floor of the hypogeum but they are a reminder of the Colosseum’s most green times.
5. It became a sacred place in the 18th century.
Despite the negative perception associated with the Colosseum as haunted and a demoniac site it played many functions throughout the history of the world. Between the 16th and 17th century it was the Catholic Church showed a particular interest in the amphitheater, and worked to find ways to reuse it.
The most interesting idea was initiated by the Pope Sixtus V, who planned to convert the Colosseum into a wool mill to offer prostitutes an opportunity to work. The factory never came into existence however, because Sixtus V died in 1590 in 1590, only five years after being elected Pope.
At the turn of the century in the 18th, the Catholic Church acknowledged the amphitheater as a sacred site. While there is no proof of executions of the early Christians at the Colosseum during the Roman Empire and The Pope Benedict XIV claimed that the arena was made holy through the bloodshed of Christian martyrs. Then, he established religious sites within the arena and the Colosseum was a center for pilgrimage and cult.
The church was demolished during the 18th century. The fascist dictator Benito Mussolini took over Italy He attempted to impress his fellow members of the Catholic Church by constructing an additional cross at the Colosseum. The cross was made to replace for the one removed in the late 1870’s. It is still visible on the northeastern part of the amphitheater.
Three centuries after, the site is still sacred to Christians. Each year the amphitheater is closed to visitors on Good Friday, and the Pope performs the traditional Via Crucis ceremony at the memorial.
Get in touch when searching for Colosseum opening times.
6. You can stand where that the monument of Nero was
Following following the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD The polemic Emperor Nero built a huge residence for himself,”the Golden House. Inside there was a huge artificial lake, with a massive bronze sculpture of Nero just next to it. The lake was later buried following Nero’s death in order to make space for the Colosseum and the statue remained.
When the Emperor Vespasian began building his Flavian Amphitheater in the late 16th century, he did not remove the statue of Nero. Instead, he changed the head with one of Apollo god of the sun. and named his Statue Colossus Solis.
It is believed by historians that it was due to the word “colossus” – meaning a huge statue – that Flavian Amphitheater began to be called Colosseum during early in the Middle Ages.
The statue continued to see its head rearranged by various heads throughout history. It was at some point that it vanished, leaving no trace of its remains. The final mentioned of the Colossus was discovered in a manuscript dating to around the fourth century AD. The exact details of what transpired with it, or even when it happened, was discovered.
It is believed that it was damaged by an earthquake, while others believe say it was taken. Whatever the reason there is nothing left of the statue, besides the base made of concrete on which it was once.
The base is situated right beside the Colosseum located near the entry point located in a tiny square where a lot of travel agents’ representatives are and gather guests who want to book private tours with them.
There is a large tree next to it, and a lot of tourists eagerly awaiting their tour to begin, are able to shelter from the sun in its shade. The majority of them don’t realize that they’re putting their feet in the exact site for the statue Nero.
If you’ve learned about it, ensure that you don’t miss out on the chance to walk on by, and be a giant you are!
7. The Arch of Constantine is its close neighbor.
It is evident that many of the best reasons to explore the Colosseum are found outside its walls. Its Arch of Constantine, the largest and most well-preserved Roman triumphal arch is just one of these.
The Arch of Constantine was most likely constructed as a part of Constantine’s Roman Senate around 315 AD to commemorate Emperor Constantine I’s victory at his battle with Milvian Bridge. Some theories, however, suggests that the arches could be constructed earlier to serve other purposes.
The arch’s design is not unique. It actually consists of elements from other imperial monuments, and only a handful of parts created exclusively for the arch. The historians believe that architects of the time used old materials to speed up construction process and meet the date.
The arch is stunning and full of detail, and it is situated in between and between the Colosseum as well as it’s Palatine Hill, just a few feet far from where the exit of Colosseum is. an incredible bonus for anyone who visit the amphitheater.
8. Also, you can check out the Ludus Magnus
In terms of benefits… Like people are unaware of the base of the Colossus when they visit the Colosseum and the Colosseum, they’re also unaware of that of the Ludus Magnus on the opposite side. It’s true, and nobody should be.
The Ludus Magnus, also known as the Great Gladiatorial Training Academy was the most extensive training center of gladiators during Ancient Rome!
However, only a small portion of it is seen. Most of it is hidden beneath the ground. However, that doesn’t mean it’s any less awesome.
Ludus Magnus is located in the city of Laterano. Ludus Magnus is located few metres to the north of Colosseum located between the via Labicana as well as the via di S. Giovanni in Laterano. My preferred way to view it is to do so with a drink with me. There are some very comfortable bars on via di S. Giovanni in Laterano in Laterano where you can purchase the best Italian beer and enjoy it near an ancient gladiatorial academy.
9. It also has a museum
When you step inside the Colosseum The first floor is all about looking at the amphitheater. On the second floor there’s many more things to see.
There’s a small museum within that is the museum dedicated to Eros who is Eros, the Greek God of Love. It houses several artifacts which were discovered during the excavations of the Colosseum as well as remnants of the church’s activities inside the.
The museum also contains images and models which show the state of the monument during various periods of time. The best part? There are no additional tickets to get there!
10. You can get three attractions for the price of just one.
Are you familiar with the feeling of going into a store and purchasing two things that you love at the cost of one? Imagine a mix of three things. It’s not possible to imagine… even more three items. Think about it: these three things are actually the biggest three places in Ancient Rome!
Oh, yes! I was so happy when I received ticket tickets to visit the Colosseum and discovered that it also granted an access pass to Palatine Hill as well as the Roman Forum for two consecutive days.
The Colosseum is already a pretty excellent reasons to be an integral part of your itinerary. having the opportunity to see two other places for the same price makes it more interesting.
Following those 10 reasons to go to the Roman Colosseum What do you have to be waiting for? !