THE COLOSSEUM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Flavian Amphitheatre, better known as the Colosseum, is one of the most famous Roman monuments in the world. The name derives from the enormous Colosseum bronze statue of Nero that was erected in the vicinity and that, considering how much was known as the Colossus of Nerone.La construction of the amphitheater was begun by Vespasian, but completed by Titus in 80 AD and open to the public with a grand opening lasted a good hundred days that remain of the descriptions in the ancient chronicles. The Colosseum was built with the specific aim of giving the Roma a place worthy of the fame of his gladiatorial games that were previously held temporary wooden building erected by Nero in the Campus Martius after the old amphitheater of Taurus was destroyed Tito Laurel in the famous fire of 64 ADPreviously games were made either in the Roman Forum or the Forum Boario that were equipped with mobile facilities for these occasions. Throughout the Empire, the Colosseum was repeatedly restoration resulting in fires and earthquakes have to remember speeches by Antoninus Pius, of Heliogabalus and Alexander Severus, the latter due to restoration because of a disastrous fire in 217 AD and other restorations, commemorated by inscriptions, after the earthquake of 443 AD.

In 249, one thousandth of the founding of Rome, there were celebrated solemn feasts: among other shows, there was a battle of a thousand pairs of gladiators were killed and 32 elephants, 10 elks, 10 tigers, 60 lions, 10 hyenas, 10 giraffes, 20 wild donkeys, wild horses 40, 10 zebras, hippos 6. The gladiator fights there lasted until 404, when they were suppressed by Honorius (perhaps after the sacrifice of Telemachus, who monaco, cacciatosi boldly into the arena to prevent them, was killed by the crowd); those of wild animals since the mid sec.VI .The Amphitheatre has the shape of an ellipse having the major axis of 188 m. the lesser of 156 and the circumference of 527. Along the perimeter huge turn and rises 57 m to the solemn travertine exterior architecture, consisting of three levels of arches on pillars which are leaned against the half-columns of the three orders Doric, Ionic and Corinthian crowns the building quarter Order of slender Corinthian pilasters against solid masonry, similar to a high loft, with small rectangular windows, two-thirds of the height of this order turns a crown of large brackets equidistant: they served to support the pali, which, inserted in corresponding holes open in the terminal cornice, supported the awning that protected spectators from the sun and was manned by sailors trained. The blocks of travertine were originally united with cramps of iron, which were torn in the Middle Ages, leaving holes that can still be seen. The building was of travertine, tufa, bricks and concrete, marble interior. It is estimated that, overall, have been put in place more than 100,000 cubic meters of travertine, marble and other materials in addition to, and that the connecting pins of the blocks have occurred about 300 tons of iron.Inside, the seats of the auditorium was divided into three zones: the first reserved for the knights, citizens, the middle one, the most elevala the people. Above the third (summa) was probably another flight of steps behind the columns, provided with wooden seats reserved for women; above the colonnade, a terrace was intended for viewers who remained standing. Approximately 50 000 people (according to some, 73000), could take place in the amphitheater, they rank first or podium, equipped with a high parapet, contained the imperial box (pulvinar), for the emperors and their retinue, while the senators, the pontiffs, vestals, judges occupied the rest of the podium. After the 523 A.D. you have no other news shows, the Colosseum began its phase of decline of ruin that transformed the amphitheater into a quarry for building materials. Despite the damage, the monument still retains its look of indescribable grandeur.

The Colosseum is located in Piazza del Colosseo, n. 1 - Rome
Opening hours:
Open from September 1 to September 30:
from 8.30 to 19.00 - last admission 18.00
Open October 1 to 25:
from 8.30 alle18.30 - last admission at 17.30
Open from 26 October to 15 February 2009:
from 8.30 to 16.30 - last admission 15.30
Open from February 16 to March 15:
from 8.30 to 17.00 - last admission at 16.00
Open March 16 to 29:
from 8.30 to 17.30 - last admission at 16.30
Open from 30 March to 31 August:
from 8.30 to 19.15 - last admission at 18.15
Closing days:
January 1, May 1, 25 December.
tickets:
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices of the Palatine which also includes a visit to the Palatine and Roman Forum.
The ticket offices are located in:
- Via di San Gregorio n. 30 (Palatine)
Vehicles arriving at the Coliseum:
bus
60 - 75 - 85 to 87 - 117 - 271 to 571 - 175 - 186 to 810 - 850 - C3
tram
3
Metro Line B
Colosseo
Tickets cost:
ticket:
9 euros 3 euros (for exhibitions);
reduced ticket:
4.50 euros 3 euros (for exhibitions),
- People aged between 18 and 24 European Union members
- European Union teachers
(you must show a valid ID);
free ticket:
- Persons under 18 and over 65 citizens of the European Union
(you must show a valid ID);