Certain things shouldn’t happen such as having a trip to Rome and not going to the Colosseum is just one of them.
The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater built in the world, and also the most frequented monument in Italy. However, if you believe its popularity is solely based on its impressive size and its ancient gladiator battles it is not the case. The mind-boggling and bizarre Colosseum was able to impact life of Romans and visitors for many centuries after its glory days.
You’re still wondering why you should visit the place? Find out 10 reasons why you should go to The Roman Colosseum and discover!
1. The hypogeum is visible.
We all learned about the gladiator wars which took place in the arena of Colosseum. What if I said the arena is no more? Yes, you’re right!! I wouldn’t believe it if anyone had informed me.
However, it’s a lot of fun picturing the shock on my face as I walked into the Colosseum for the first time, only to discover that there wasn’t an arena flooring.
The Colosseum’s main arena was taken away by archaeologists during the 19th century, and has never been rebuilt completely. A small portion of it was rebuilt in order for visitors to feel a similar sensation during certain tours.
I must admit I was a bit dismayed to hear that. I wanted to see the place that I often imagined in my mind. It took me only two minutes to let go of my frustration and appreciate the positive aspect that was revealed: it’s possible to clearly see the hypogeum!
The word hypogeum comes from the Greek word that means underground. It is the underground area below the Colosseum’s bleachers as well as the arena. It was here that gladiators as well as animals were kept prior to the start of each battle and was also where the 36 trap doors used for special effects were hid. It was basically the Colosseum’s backstage.
Since there’s no arena anymore and the hypogeum can be seen beautifully exposed.
The underground area resembles the labyrinth. You are able to explore it on an exclusive tour. If you’re a history and adventure lover like me and have a few euros, this tour is the best option. Underground tours are available through a number of travel agents. If you’re looking to keep the additional euros in your pockets Now you know that you’ll still be able to gaze at the hypogeum using the regular ticket.
Click here for Colosseum opening times.
2. Battles between naval forces took place inside
Archaeologists weren’t the first ones to tear down the arena of the Colosseum. The floor of wooden coated with sand, which Romans initially utilized had been taken away prior to the Colosseum filled with water to hold simulation naval combats.
Amazing, right? Romans actually did succeed in turning into the Colosseum into a huge swimming pool and also having battles with the sea inside!
The battles, known as naumachiae were not very well-known, however; and they stopped completely after 1 AD when Romans made the arena’s wooden support structures with brick walls, making it nearly impossible to have the Colosseum once more submerged.
Unfortunately we have to say that there aren’t visible traces of the Naumachiae. But, with a amount and imagination may imagine them in the interior or around the Colosseum.
3. This is one of seven gates to hell.
The Colosseum was neglected completely following the collapse of the Roman Empire. After it was destroyed through fires and earthquakes, not person even thought of restoring it. Instead, the smashed stones were instead used to construct other structures across the city.
Parts from the Colosseum were snatched away with no regret because, during the Middle Ages, the then-called Flavian Amphitheater (named in honor of Flavian Dynasty of Emperors). Flavian Dynasty of Emperors) was not regarded as a monument. As an emblem of pagan times it was an area of quarry for the largest authority in Medieval Rome which was Rome’s Catholic Church.
Because of its deteriorating condition and the sheer number of deaths in the Colosseum – a staggering 500,000 as well as 1,000,000 animals – macabre tales about the Colosseum quickly spread.
Following every gladiatorial contest an unsettling figure would be seen in the stadium to confirm that the gladiator died. At the time of Middle Ages, this figure could have been associated with the ferryman, who collected souls who die and leads to the idea that Colosseum could be one of the seven gates to hell.
Medieval Romans believe that the Colosseum is haunted by ghosts of dead gladiators. They also believed that witches and wizards utilized the plants they found in the ruins to create magical potions.
The truth is that the amphitheater was not just designed to make you shiver in the medieval era. The amphitheater was an ancient cemetery at some period in time and criminals may utilize the site to conceal the remains that they had killed.
4. It was a beautiful garden
Medieval Romans have a convincing evidence to suggest that witches and wizards utilized special plants in the Colosseum to create magical potions. In the past, 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 in the ruins. In the year 1850, English botanist Richard Deakin discovered 420 species. Some were widespread in Italy while others, however were not found in Europe in any way.
The most popular theory suggests that when the ancient Romans transported wild animals to Africa to entertain themselves Many of the animals had seeds embedded inside their stomachs and furs. However, this theory has not been proven.
From where did these exotic plants come from, botanists believe they could only develop in the Colosseum because of the presence of microclimates in the.
The Colosseum is no longer an idyllic garden. It was in the late 19th century after Italian nationalists defeated the Pope and the Pope’s successor, the new Italian government gave the Colosseum to archaeologists. In the 20th century, the arena’s floor had been removed, as did most of the plants.
If you keep an eye on it You can 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 poor perception associated with the Colosseum as haunted and a demoniac site the ruins of the Colosseum played multiple 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 make it a better place.
The most interesting idea was initiated by The most intriguing attempt came from Pope Sixtus V, who planned to turn the Colosseum into a wool mill to offer prostitutes jobs. The wool factory never existed however, since Sixtus V died in 1590 only five years after he was elected Pope.
The 18th century was when 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 however, 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 transformed into a site for pilgrimage and cult.
The church was demolished during the 18th century. The fascist dictator Benito Mussolini took over Italy and attempted at impressing 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 remains visible on the northeastern side of the amphitheater.
Three centuries after, the site is still sacred to Christians. Each year the amphitheater is closed to visitors on Good Friday. The Pope is the one to lead the customary Via Crucis ceremony at the memorial.
6. You can stand where that the monument of Nero was
Following after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD The polarizing Emperor Nero built a huge palace for himself called”the Golden House. Inside it was an enormous artificial lake, with a massive bronze figure of Nero just next to it. The lake was then buried following Nero’s demise to make way for the Colosseum The statue was left.
When the Emperor Vespasian began to build his Flavian Amphitheater in the late 16th century, he did not take Nero’s statue out of the way. Instead, he changed the head with that of Apollo god of the sun. calling this sculpture 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 was able to keep its head rearranged by various heads throughout history. It was at some point that it vanished, leaving no trace left. The final reference to the Colossus was discovered in a manuscript dating to in the early 4th century AD. There is no evidence of what transpired with it, or even when it happened, was discovered.
It is believed that it was damaged due to an earthquake. Others believe claim it was taken. Whatever the truth the truth is, there’s nothing left of the statue except for the base of concrete where it was previously.
The base is situated right beside the Colosseum close to the entrance located in a tiny square where a lot of representatives of travel agencies stand and gather visitors who have booked an exclusive tour with them.
There is a tree adjacent to it, and a lot of tourists eagerly awaiting their tour to begin, take refuge beneath its shadow. The majority of them don’t think they’re placing their feet right on the site for the statue Nero.
If you’ve learned about it, be sure you don’t let it slip by to go on by, and be a giant you are!
7. The Arch of Constantine is its closest neighbor.
You can clearly see that many of the best reasons to go to the Colosseum are found outside its walls. Its Arch of Constantine, the most important and well-preserved Roman Triumphal Arch, can be considered 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 Constantine I’s victory over his battle with Milvian Bridge. There are some debates about the arch’s origins, but they suggests that the arches could have been constructed earlier for different purposes.
The design of the arch is not unique. It actually consists of elements from other imperial monuments, and only a few pieces made specifically for the arch. The historians believe that architects of the time used old materials to speed up construction process and meet the timeframe.
The arch is gorgeous with lots of details and is located in between it the Colosseum along with it’s Palatine Hill, just a few feet far from where the exit of Colosseum is. an incredible bonus for anyone going to the amphitheater.
8. Also, you can look at the Ludus Magnus
In terms of benefits… Like people aren’t aware of the Colossus’s home base when visiting the Colosseum and the Colosseum, they’re also unaware of that of the Ludus Magnus on the opposite side. I’m sure that nobody should be.
The Ludus Magnus, also known as the Great Gladiatorial Training Academy was the most extensive training center that gladiators could find in Ancient Rome!
However, only a small portion of it is visible. Most of it’s hidden beneath the ground. However, that doesn’t mean it’s any less awesome.
It is known as the Ludus Magnus is located few metres to the north of Colosseum in the area between the via Labicana as well as Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano. My preferred way to view it is to do so with a drink with me. There are a number of cozy bars in via di S. Giovanni in Laterano in Laterano where you can purchase an excellent Italian beer near The gladiatorial college.
9. It even has a small museum
As you enter the Colosseum the first floor you go to is all about looking at the amphitheater. On the second floor there’s plenty more to look at.
There’s a small museum within that is that is dedicated to Eros who is Eros, the Greek goddess of love. The museum houses many artifacts that were discovered during the excavations of the Colosseum and also remnants of the church’s activities within the.
The museum also has photographs and models that illustrate how the monument was used during various times. What’s the best part? You don’t require tickets to get there!
10. You can get three attractions for the price of one.
Have you ever experienced the thrill of walking into a shop and buying two things you like for the price of one? Imagine a combination of three things. There is nothing… More than three items. Think about it: these three things represent the three largest places in Ancient Rome!
Oh, yes! I was ecstatic when I received ticket tickets to visit the Colosseum and learned that it also provided 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 included in any itinerary. having the opportunity to see two other locations for the same cost makes it more interesting.
Following those 10 reasons to go to the Roman Colosseum What do you have to be waiting for? !