Colosseum, Rome

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We took the bus to the Colosseum, the symbol of Rome. We waited on line for almost 45 minutes before finally entering. Construction of the Colosseum began in 72AD and took eight years to complete. Although horse and chariot races took place in the Colosseum, it’s probably best known for gladiators and battles with wild animals. It’s incredible to be standing in a building that is close to 2,000 years old. Very sadly though, the Colosseum - and so many of the historical buildings/monuments in Italy- are so dirty, almost black.

I would recommend renting the audio guide. It allows you to visit at your own pace. (Also if you can book tickets online, I would recommend doing it.)

On-line booking: www.pierreci.it

Hours: 9 - 1h before sunset.

Admission €11,00 - reduced € 6,50.+ € 2,00 for exhibitions(ticket valid also for the Palatine and Roman Forum).

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Entry ticket of Colosseum will cost you 12 euors, as of today, and covers entry to Roman Forum and Platine Hill as well, all of these sites are actually situated in one vicinity which represents historical city of Rome. Actual price of Colosseum tikcet is 9 euors but they charge 3 euors extra for the exhibition. Usually there is always an exhibition, therefore, you will most probably end up paying the full price.
There is no need to buy the ticket in advance or through internet unless you have specific reasons for doing so. The best and the tested method is to buy the ticket from the entrance of Roman Forum and not from Colosseum. I got this tip from fellow VTers, tried it and found it making a lot of sense. Finding the entrance of Roman Forum is not tricky, once you see the Colosseum don't enter into Colosseum's premises and rather ask for Roman Forum from someone and you will be there.
The ticket office at the Forum is located just inside the premises, you will most probably see no or very few people in the queue. After getting your ticket, you may like to refer to the map showing legends fixed on the left of the ticket office.
There are host of reasons to start your trip from Roman Forum rather from Colosseum. There is always a queue at Colosseum which will eat your one precious hour, if not more, and will have a toll on your energy also. Secondly, the impression of Colosseum is so deep, specially for first time visitors like me, that you may loose interest in the ruins, which require fresh mind in order for one to appreciate the genius. If you plan well and start your trip early in the morning, say 9 am in summers, then you may like to avoid the afternoon heat as most parts of Roman Forum and Platine Hill are not covered, on the other hand you will have the luxury of shade in Colosseum. Finally and most importantly, going from Roman Forum to Colosseum is easier. Why? Actually there is pedestrian street that joins both these sites but this street is one way, so if you want to come to Forum from Colosseum then you need to come out of the premises and enter again from the entrance of Roman Forum.
Have a great time!

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This is a fantastic place and is the one sight you should see every time that you visit Rome.

The quickest way to get into the place, especially if there are a group of you, is to go with one of the many guided tours that are available from the many guides milling around outside. It may not be the cheapest way of doing it, but otherwise give yourself plenty of time to queue up for tickets.

The ticket is a double entry ticket which also includes entry to the nearby Palatine Museum and Roman Forum. You might be able to get tickets in advance over the web. They might be more expensive, but again it may save you hours in the queue, check out Rome Musuem

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First built in 79 AD by the Emperor Vespasian, This is the single largest amphitheater in the roman world. It was here that the throngs came to witness battles between gladiators, wild animals and other spectacular shows put together to thrill the masses. The so-called Games were often presided over by the emperor himself. Later emperors used the collesseum as a showplace where early christains were executed or thrown to the beasts.
The shell we see today is just that, a shell of what it once looked like. It once was 4 levels in height, was guilded in parts with gold and was adorned by statues of the gods. None the less, it is still a fabulous place to visit.

Hi there,

We've been searching for free audio tours for Rome, and we FOUND THEM! Go to http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/audiotour_menu.htm

for Rick Steve's free audio tour guides for all the popular locations in Rome. We listened to some, and they sound good. Just load on your mp3 or iPod, and you're all set - for FREE.

Enjoy~
Holly

I do not want to add up to the History. If you want to have the full feel of the past events that occured here then you must see the movie: "Gladiator". Then we will enjoy seeing The Great Colosseum, otherwise it will be just as another place and we will be like the sheeps. Take as many pictures possible. Its a lifetime opportunity. And have fun...

By this point, everyone knows the colosseum. Here are a few things you might not know. The colosseum, forum and palatine hill are now on a combo ticket for 12 euros. You get 2 days to see all three sites. If you start at the capitoline hill and continue on through the forum you will end up at the colosseum. As you come toward the end of the forum, there is a path that goes off to the right, up hill. The palatine hill. Approaching the colosseum you will see several things. Vending trucks, people dressed as gladiators, sovenier carts and tour touts. If you want to take a tour, approach a tour tout or allow them to approach you. They are cheap and last about an hour. You don't have to leave the colosseum when the tour is finished, your ticket lets you stay as long as you like. Ignore the gladiators , who charge 5 euros for the privalage of taking their picture (with your camera). As for the vending trucks, they are over priced. They will sell you a soda for 3 euros. That is ONE CAN of coke, 3 EUROS!!!!! Just avoid them. Last is the souvenier carts, one by the entrance, one by the exit. These souveniers are very overpriced, but you can bargain with them. Once you get past the line to get into the colosseum, continue to the end of the main corridor you will see an elevator. Take this to the top for great views. Spend as much time as you like inside. While you're inside, don't forget to look outside. When you decide to leave you will go out the right hand side of the colosseum (if your back is to the forum). If you need to use the restroom, there is one if you head to the left. So just turn left and continue toward the "back" of the colosseum. There is a small building next to the wall, the restroom. It is never crowded and always clean.
The colosseum combo is covered by the romapass. With the romapass you get entrance into the three sites for 2 days and you get to bypass the lines. Just go to the line marked for tours and use your pass. The three sites only count as one site on your romapass.

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A truly awesome feat of Roman engineering, Colosseo's construction was begun under Emperor Vespasian in 70 AD and completed in 82 AD under Emperor Titus. Famous for the bloodshed that occurred within it's massive walls, stories of gladiatorial battles, animal sacrifices, reenactments of famous battles and capital punishment have been told and retold for centuries. In 1749 Pope Benedict XIV declared Colosseo a Christian site, due to the deaths of Christian martyrs who were savagely killed in the site. Colosseo opens at 9:00 and closes one hour before sunset. Admission costs 11 Euros, but also gets you entrance to Palatine and the Roman Forum. Arrive early as lines can become quite long during mid-morning. The audio guide was well worth renting as well.