Coliseum

Piazza del Colosseo
Tel: (06) 3996 7700
Transport: Metro Colosseo; bus to Piazza del Colosseo
Opening hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat 09:00-two hours before sunset; Wed and Sun 09:00-13:00
Admission: € 5

Near to Via Sacra and the fourth-century Arco di Costantino (Arch of Constantine), lies the gigantic oval of the Coliseum (Colosseum, Colosseo) - 186 m (620 ft) long, 153 m (510 ft) wide and about 47 m (157 ft) high. Emperor Vespasian began construction in 72 AD, and work was completed eight years later, by his son Titus. It was the scene for entertainment that one can hardly comprehend - gladiatorial conquests between men, lions and wild beasts, with death guaranteed. The "games" were finally outlawed in the fifth century.

The stadium was pillaged over the centuries and rocked by earthquakes. Today, only its skeletal framework remains, with the winding passages used to force animals up to the battlefield of the arena - formerly underground - now exposed.

Florida Map
UK Map
Bahamas Map
Map of Spain
Tampa Map
Manhattan Map, New York City, USA

Italy Map online  |  Weather  |  Italy Maps and Guides

Italy Map

Map of Italy

Frommer's Italy 2008

Rick Steves' Italy 2008

Fodor's Italy 2008

Visions of Italy (DVD)

Tuscany Guides

Rome Guides

Florence Guides

Venice Guides

( All Italy Maps and Guides )