Certain events should never occur such as visiting Rome and not going to the Colosseum is just one example.
The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater built in the world, and also the most frequented monument in Italy. However, if you believe its popularity is solely based on its impressive size and its ancient gladiator battles it is not the case. The mind-boggling and bizarre Colosseum has influenced life of Romans and their guests for centuries after its glory days.
Are you still unsure of why you should visit the Colosseum? Find out 10 reasons why you should go to The Roman Colosseum and discover!
1. The hypogeum can be seen.
We all learned about the gladiator fights that were held at The Colosseum’s Arena. What if I said that this arena no longer exists? Yes, you’re right!! I wouldn’t believe it if anyone had informed me.
It’s true, and it’s a lot of fun picturing the shock on my face as I walked into the Colosseum for the first time and realized that there wasn’t an arena flooring.
The Colosseum’s main arena was taken away by archaeologists during the 19th century. It has not been completely rebuilt. It was only a small fraction of it was rebuilt to permit guests to experience a gladiator sensation during certain tours.
I admit that I was a bit dismayed to hear that. I was really hoping to see the place that I would often imagine in my mind. However, it only took me two minutes to let go of my frustration and appreciate the positive aspects that was revealed: it’s possible to actually see the hypogeum!
Hypogeum refers to the Greek word that means underground. It is the underground area below the Colosseum’s bleachers as well as the arena. It was here that gladiators and animals were kept prior to the start of each battle and also where 36 trap doors that were used for extra effects were kept. It was basically the Colosseum’s backstage.
Since there’s no arena anymore and the hypogeum can be seen beautifully exposed.
The underground section looks like the labyrinth. You are able to take a walk around it by booking the special tour. If you’re a history and adventure enthusiast like me, and have some extra euros, this tour is the best option. The underground tour is offered in a variety of travel companies. If you’re looking to keep the additional euros in your pockets You know that you’ll be able to look on the hypogeum by purchasing the regular ticket.
2. The naval battles took place within
Archaeologists weren’t the only ones to take down the arena of the Colosseum. The floor made of wood coated with sand, which Romans initially utilized had been taken away prior to the Colosseum filled with water to hold simulation naval combats.
Amazing, right? Romans actually did succeed in turning their Colosseum into a massive swimming pool and also having battles with the sea inside!
The battles, known as naumachiae were not very popular. However, they stopped completely around 1 AD, when the Romans removed the wooden support structures with brick walls, making it virtually impossible to see the Colosseum once more submerged.
Unfortunately we have to say that there aren’t evidence of the Naumachiae. But, with a amount in imagination you may still imagine them inside or around the Colosseum.
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3. This is one of seven gates to hell.
The Colosseum was neglected completely following the end of the Roman Empire. After the Colosseum was damaged through fires and earthquakes, not person even thought of restoring it. The ruined stones were instead used to construct other structures across the city.
Parts from the Colosseum were removed without regrets since, during the Middle Ages, the then-called Flavian Amphitheater (named in honor of Flavian Dynasty of Emperors). Flavian Dynasty of Emperors) was not regarded as a monument. As a symbol of pagan time it was an agro-cultural site for the most powerful authority in Medieval Rome which was The Catholic Church.
Because of its deteriorating condition and the sheer number of people who perished within – more than 500,000 and 1,000,000 animals – stories of macabre nature about the Colosseum quickly became popular.
Following each gladiatorial match there would be a grouchy figure show up in the arena, to check that the gladiator died. The Middle Ages, this figure could have been associated with the ferryman who would collect souls who die which led into the notion that the Colosseum could be one of the seven gates to hell.
Medieval Romans were also of the opinion that Colosseum had been haunted from the ghosts of dead gladiators. They also believed that witches and wizards utilized the specific plants that were growing inside the ruin to make magical potions.
Truth is, the amphitheater was not just designed to make you shiver in the medieval era. The amphitheater was a cemetery at a particular period in time and criminals could utilize the site to conceal the remains of the victims.
4. It was a beautiful garden
Medieval Romans have a plausible evidence to suggest that witches and wizards made use of special plants found in the Colosseum to make magical potion. The Colosseum was a thriving garden and when botanists began to study the plants within they realized that many of them were unique.
Botanical studies conducted at the Colosseum begin in 1643 when Domenico Panaroli identified 337 species of plant in the ruins. In the year 1850, English botanist Richard Deakin discovered around 420 species. Certain of them were widespread in Italy while others, however did not grow in Europe in any way.
One popular theory is that when the ancient Romans introduced wild animal species from Africa to their homes for entertainment Some of these animals had seeds embedded in their stomachs and furs. This theory hasn’t been proven.
From where did these exotic plants come from, botanists claim they could only thrive in the Colosseum because of the presence of microclimates in the.
Today, the Colosseum is no longer an idyllic garden. The 19th century after Italian nationalists defeated the Pope and the Pope’s successor, the new Italian government gave the Colosseum to archaeologists. The 20th century saw the arena’s floor had been removed, as did most of the plants.
If you pay attention If you pay attention, you’ll be able to see a few tiny plants growing on the floor of the hypogeum but they are a reminder of the Colosseum’s most green times.
5. It became a sacred place in the 18th century.
Despite the poor image associated with the Colosseum as haunted and a demoniac site it played many roles throughout the course of history. Between the 16th and 17th century it was the Catholic Church was particularly interested in the amphitheater and worked to make it a better place.
The most interesting idea was initiated by The most intriguing attempt came from Pope Sixtus V, who planned to convert the Colosseum into a factory for wool for prostitutes to get an opportunity to work. The factory never came into existence however, because Sixtus V died in 1590 only five years after he was elected Pope.
The 18th century was when the Catholic Church acknowledged the amphitheater as a holy place. While there is no proof of executions of the early Christians at the Colosseum during the Roman Empire however, the Pope Benedict XIV claimed that the arena was made holy through the blood shed by Christian martyrs. Then, he established religious sites within the arena and the Colosseum was a center of cult and pilgrimage.
The church was demolished during the 18th century. In the 19th century, when fascist leader Benito Mussolini took over Italy and attempted at impressing the Catholic Church by constructing new crosses in the Colosseum. The cross was made to replace for the one that was taken away in the 1870’s. It is still visible on the northeastern part of the amphitheater.
Three centuries after, the site is still holy to Christians. Each year the amphitheater remains closed to visitors on Good Friday. The Pope is the one to lead the customary Via Crucis ceremony at the memorial.
6. You can stand where that the monument of Nero was
Following after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD The polemic Emperor Nero built a huge residence for himself, The Golden House. Inside it was an enormous artificial lake that was surrounded by a huge bronze sculpture of Nero just next to it. The lake was then buried following Nero’s demise to make way for the Colosseum and the statue remained.
When the Emperor Vespasian began building his Flavian Amphitheater in the late 16th century, he did not remove the statue of Nero. Instead, he substituted the head with one of Apollo god of the sun. and named this sculpture Colossus Solis.
It is believed by historians that it was due to the word “colossus,” which is a huge statue – that Flavian Amphitheater began to be called Colosseum during late in Middle Ages.
The statue was able to keep its head rearranged by various heads throughout history. In a mysterious time, it vanished, leaving no trace left. The final reference to the Colossus was discovered in a document dating back to around the fourth century AD. There is no evidence of what transpired to it, or the date was ever found.
Some believe that it was destroyed by an earthquake, while others believe claim it was taken. Whatever the truth there is nothing left of the statue except for the base made of concrete on which it was once.
The base is situated right beside the Colosseum close to the entrance located in a tiny square where a lot of travel agents’ representatives are and gather guests who want to book private tours with them.
There is a tree adjacent to it, and a lot of tourists eagerly awaiting their tour to begin, take refuge beneath its shadow. The majority of them don’t realize that they’re putting their feet right on the site that is the site of the monument of Nero.
If you’ve learned about it, ensure that you don’t miss out on the chance to go on by, and be a giant you are!
7. The Arch of Constantine is its closest neighbor.
It is evident that many of the best reasons to explore the Colosseum are found outside its walls. For instance, the Arch of Constantine, the most important and well-preserved Roman triumphal arch is just one of the best.
The Arch of Constantine was most likely constructed as a part of members of the Roman Senate around 315 AD to commemorate Emperor Constantine I’s victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. There are some debates about the arch’s origins, but they indicate that this arch could have been constructed earlier for different purposes.
The design of the arch is not the original design. It actually consists of elements from other imperial monuments, and only a handful of parts created exclusively for the arch. The historians believe that architects of the time used old materials to speed up construction and to meet the delivery date.
The arch is gorgeous and full of detail, and is located within and between the Colosseum as well as Palatine Hill. Palatine Hill, a couple of meters far from where the exit of Colosseum is. an awesome bonus for people who visit the amphitheater.
8. It is also possible to check out the Ludus Magnus
When it comes to benefits… Like people aren’t aware of the Colossus’s home base when visiting the Colosseum as well, they are blind to Ludus Magnus. Ludus Magnus on the opposite side. I’m sure that there is no reason to be.
The Ludus Magnus, also known as the Great Gladiatorial Training Academy was the most extensive training center of gladiators during Ancient Rome!
However, only a small portion of it is seen. Most of it is still underground. However, that doesn’t mean it’s any less amazing.
It is known as the Ludus Magnus is located few meters to the north of the Colosseum in the area between the via Labicana along with Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano. My preferred method of viewing it is by having a glass of beer in my hand. There are a number of cozy bars in via di S. Giovanni in Laterano where you can get the best Italian beer near an ancient gladiatorial academy.
9. It also has a museum
When you step inside the Colosseum The first floor you go to is all about looking at the amphitheater. On the second floor there’s plenty more to look at.
There’s a small museum within that is that is dedicated to Eros which is one of the Greek God of Love. It houses several artifacts which were discovered during excavations of the Colosseum and also remnants of the church’s activities inside the.
The museum also has images and models which show how the monument was used during various times. What’s the best part? There are no additional tickets to get there!
10. You can get three attractions for the price of one.
Have you ever experienced the thrill of going into a store and buying two things you like for the price of one? Imagine a combination of three things. It’s not possible to imagine… even more three items. Think about it: these three things represent the three largest locations in Ancient Rome!
Oh, yes! I was ecstatic when I first received admission tickets for the Colosseum and discovered that it also provided my access to Palatine Hill as well as the Roman Forum for two consecutive days.
The Colosseum is already a pretty great reasons to be a an integral part of your itinerary. being able to see two other places for the same price is even more thrilling.
Following those 10 reasons to go to the Roman Colosseum What is it that you’re waiting on? !