MONUMENTS

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);

TREVI FOUNTAIN

The fountain is a monument built by the architect Salvi in 1735 during the pontificate of Pope Clement XII. It 's probably the most famous fountain in Rome in the world. The world of cinema and especially the movie  "la dolce vita" by Federico Fellini have further enhanced the reputation of this fountain. According to popular legend by throwing a coin into its waters will certainly return to Rome at least once in life.
The monument depicts an ocean on a shell-shaped chariot pulled by sea horses, led by tritons.

The Trevi Fountain combines the classic style and the Baroque. Its location is not determined by chance. The fountain was built in the place where the water comes to Rome Vergine aqueduct, one of the few aqueducts of ancient Rome to continue operating even during the Middle Ages. The end point of the Aqua Virgo was located near a crossroads (Treio) which probably derives its name from the Trevi Fountain.

Address: Piazza di Trevi

ARCH OF CONSTANTINE

 

The Arch of Constantine, is one of the best preserved ancient Roman triumphal arches, and is located between the Roman Forum and Coliseum area. The Arch, 25 meters high, was built in 313 AD, in honor of the victory of Emperor Constantine over Maxentius at the Milvian bridge.
The building was completed three years later and was opened on the tenth anniversary of the government of Constantine, 25 July 315 AD.The Arch was built during a difficult period for the city of Rome, where the ancient splendor was giving way to the first signs of decay, due to the incredible development of Constantinople. For this reason, in the construction of the arch, were used and recycled materials, that is taken from other buildings and monuments already existing, in addition to staute and decorations in origin placed at other sites.

The materials used were so wise, so as to obtain wonderful polychrome effects and become a symbol of Roman architecture. The Arch of Constantine with three arches and some overlapping orders of sculptural decoration on both sides. On the side facing the Colosseum figure representation of Marcus Aurelius, engaged in campaigns against the Dacians, while the opposite side are decorated with episodes from the various battles of Marcus Aurelius and Constantine.

THE VITTORIANO

 

 

 

 

The National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, often incorrectly identified as the Altar of the Fatherland, was constructed by young Italian Parliament, playing the popular sentiment of gratitude to the sovereign who had just died, after unification and freedom of Italy .

The project selected by a competition (the second) reserved only for Italian artists, was that the young architect Giuseppe Sacconi Marches.

The grand equestrian statue of King, 10 long and 12 meters high, was inaugurated on June 4, 1911 in the presence of Vittorio Emanuele III, while work continued even until 1935, when it can be considered definitively closed the building.

On the stairs there is the Altar of the Fatherland, which is only part of the complex, ie the part located just beyond the stairs where you find the guard of honor and the great statue of the goddess Roma.

Inside are the exhibition spaces dedicated to the history of the Victorian home of himself and the Central Museum of the Risorgimento, which in recent years also hosts temporary exhibitions of paintings.

From 1987 to 2000, the Victorian was restored in 2007 and were installed at the glass elevators that lead to the terraces of the chariot, at a height of 62.26 meters, the highest point of all buildings in the center of Rome (the dome of St. Peter is 43 meters high).


Visiting hours:Daily 10.00 - 16.00. Closed on Mondays.
The visit to the Victorian is free and takes on a fixed course.