The Roman Colosseum: An Icon of The Ancient World

The Roman Colosseum is one of the modern seven wonders of the world and we’ll discuss just a few of the reasons why it is so popular today.

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Colosseum. Towering over the heart of the Eternal City, this architectural marvel stands as a testament to Roman ingenuity, ambition, and enduring influence. As one of the most visited landmarks in the world, the Colosseum is more than just a ruin, it’s a living chronicle of nearly two thousand years of history.

Quick Facts Box

Name:	The Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre)
Construction Began:	70 AD
Completed:	80 AD
Capacity:	50,000–80,000 spectators
Height:	48 meters (157 feet)
Shape:	Elliptical
Materials:	Travertine, tufa, concrete, brick
Original Purpose:	Public spectacles, gladiator games, executions
UNESCO World Heritage Site:	Yes

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It is also a testament to the importance of “Bread and Circus”, a term referring to the practice of appeasing the public with basic necessities, like food, (i.e. “bread”) and entertainment (i.e. circus)  to distract them from larger issues and prevent political unrest. In this case, the emperors provided free entertainment in the Colosseum to the masses with the goal of maintaining peace at home with a content populus.

In this comprehensive guide, we explore everything you need to know about the Colosseum, from its fascinating history and architectural secrets to practical tips on visiting, choosing tours, and nearby hotels. We also link to detailed resources for those wanting to dive deeper into specific aspects of this monumental site.

A Brief History Of The Colosseum

Commissioned by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty around 70 AD, the Colosseum (then known as the Flavian Amphitheatre) was completed under his son Titus in 80 AD. The site was formerly a private lake belonging to Nero’s lavish Golden House complex, which Vespasian sought to erase as a symbol of imperial excess.

With a capacity of 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, the Colosseum hosted gladiator battles, animal hunts, mock naval battles, and public executions. These spectacles were a combination of state-sponsored entertainment and a demonstration of Roman power and control.

Over the centuries, the Colosseum saw many changes. In the medieval period, it was used as a fortress and later as a quarry for building materials. Despite damage from earthquakes and stone robbers, the structure remains one of Rome’s most enduring landmarks.

Explore more in our article: How Old Is The Colosseum? Find This Answer And More!

The Colosseum’s Design And Structure

The Colosseum’s design is both complex and remarkably efficient. Its elliptical shape spans approximately 189 meters long and 156 meters wide. It rises to a height of over 48 meters and features four levels of seating, organized by social class.

The arena floor originally covered a vast network of underground tunnels and rooms called the hypogeum, where animals and gladiators were held before being lifted to the surface via trap doors and elevators. The outer facade, composed of travertine blocks, is decorated with Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns.

Perhaps one of the most surprising facts is that the Colosseum once had a retractable awning—the velarium. This roof was made of a series of canvas sails that were attached to masts on the top of the amphitheater. The sails could be raised or lowered using a system of ropes and pulleys, providing shade for the spectators during hot summer days and protection from the rain during bad weather.

These canvas sails might be difficult to imagine when you see the Colosseum in person today, but recreations in movies and on TV include these sails for accuracy’s sake.

Discover more fascinating facts in: Did The Colosseum Have A Roof? (And Other Secrets)

A Stadium In Constant Change

Despite its age and the many disasters it has faced, the Colosseum continues to undergo restoration by what seem like almost continuous projects over the centuries. These efforts have been ongoing and show no sign of ending. Modern interventions aim to stabilize and preserve the monument while also enhancing visitor access.

One major challenge is maintaining a balance between preserving the structure and accommodating millions of annual visitors. Scaffolding is a familiar sight, and each section is carefully cleaned, reinforced, and monitored for structural integrity.

The Mussolini regime excavated the Colosseum’s underground levels, known at the Hypogeum. This can be viewed positively, but he also made arbitrary architectural changes that had no historical relevance.

Private funding and corporate sponsorships, such as the significant investment from the Tod’s fashion group, have made major restoration campaigns possible. The first phase of this effort, started in 2016, was the restoration of the northern and southern facades (approximately 13,300 square meters) and the replacement of the actual locking system of arches with new gates. 

The second phase, which began in 2018, under the supervision of the Institute Parco Archeologico del Colosseo, has focused on the Colosseum’s hypogea, which is the underground series of passages that would have been under the Colosseum floor.

Read more in: The Colosseum Restoration Will Never End In Rome

How To Experience The Colosseum Today

Visiting the Colosseum is more than just walking into a ruin, it’s stepping back in time with thousands of other people. A common Colosseum ticket typically also includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill that lasts for 24-hours, giving visitors a broader view of ancient Roman life, but the flexibility to fit it into their unique schedule.

Your complete ticket guide is here: How To Buy Colosseum Tickets – Your Complete Guide

Best Colosseum Tours For Different Travelers

In addition to buying your own tickets for a self-guided tour, guided tours from various tour groups provide a richer context and sometimes access to otherwise restricted areas. Depending on your interests and travel companions, there are several tour options worth exploring.

Booking a family-friendly tour can turn a visit into an educational adventure that entertains both kids and adults.

Check out our full list of recommendations: The Best Colosseum Tours For Families Coming To Rome

Visiting The Colosseum After Dark

Seeing the Colosseum at night is a uniquely breathtaking experience. With the crowds thinned and the structure illuminated, the atmosphere becomes almost magical. Night tours include access to the subterranean level (hypogeum), casting the ancient stones in dramatic shadows.

Even though the experience at night is very cool and certainly unique, the other reality is that this specific tour is very similar to the subterranean tours that you can take during the day. As someone who has taken both, I can say that they both offer a unique perspective on the Colosseum floor, and below. However, if time or money are a concern, you should pick only one. The overlap in experiences between these two tours shouldn’t be ignored.

Explore why this is a hidden gem: The Colosseum At Night Tour Is A Worthwhile Experience

Where To Stay Near The Colosseum

Staying near the Colosseum offers both convenience and atmosphere. Wake up with a view of the ancient amphitheater or enjoy an evening stroll when the crowds have retreated for the day.

For more options, see: Great Hotels Near The Roman Colosseum You Should Consider

Final Thoughts And Fun Facts

The Colosseum remains a dramatic and living symbol of Rome’s past, surviving emperors, invasions, earthquakes and time itself. Whether you visit during the heat of a summer day or the calm of a fall evening, this ancient amphitheater offers a window into the greatness and complexity of Roman civilization.

“Did You Know?” Fun Facts

• The Colosseum had over 80 entrances. Much like today, the goal was to have the crowds enter and exit the stadium as quickly and easily as possible.
• It could be evacuated in under 10 minutes thanks to its efficient design. On a related note, there has been a long time mistranslation of the term: “Vomitorium”. It has nothing to do with eating too much, but does refer to a passageway designed to quickly and efficiently allow for large crowds of people to exit the space.
• The velarium was a giant awning that covered the Colosseum during Roman times.
• It was able to be flooded to stage mock sea battles, and although there is no historical proof that this ever happened, when these mock sea battles were added to the movie Gladiator II, they also added sharks.
• The hypogeum, which is the extensive underground network of tunnels, passageways and animal cages, had 80 vertical shafts powered by pulleys and manpower that could move animals as big as elephants and scenery to the Colosseum floor.

Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill Map

Planning Your Visit To The Colosseum