As well as the Eiffel tour is considered the symbol of Paris, the coliseum is considered the symbol of Rome and it is something that cannot absolutely missed during a visit to the Italian capital, even if you are talking of a short term holiday or simply a city break in Rome. The Coliseum is also known as Flavian Amphitheatre according to the family name of the emperor who demanded the massive building. The emperor Vespasian had its construction started between 70 and 72 A.C. and it was inaugurated by Titus, Vespasian’s son, in 80 A.C.. At the end of the works, the inauguration ceremony took place with extraordinary games and fights and it lasted one hundred days.
Every tourist who visits Rome is always stunned by such magnificence and work of architecture. The emotion that rises in front of this beauty of engineering is something that a very Roman citizen cannot get rid of. It is not necessary to be an expert of art or history to appreciate the Coliseum. Similarly, it is not necessary to know the different styles of the columns, the architecture of the arcades, the material used to build it or to be fond of the games and hunts held in the arena or the arms of the gladiators, because its grandness is beyond any study and specialisation. The Coliseum enters into everyone’s heart.
Romans who own a house or a flat near the Coliseum call themselves lucky people, as well as the tourists who manage to rent a holiday apartment in Rome city centre and are able to visit all the attractions just stepping out of the rental property and walking for few minutes.
Near the Coliseum there is much to see. In fact many monuments and buildings around the Flavian Amphitheatre belong to several, different periods and represent historical times, battles, victories, lifestyles and a lot of interesting information. It is important to remember that in 1980 the Coliseum entered to be one of the World Heritage Sites and in 2008 becomes part of the New Seven Wonders of the World. In addition, the Coliseum has been chosen as the image to be on the Italian five-cent euro coin. Thus, it is perfectly understandable why Italians are so proud of it and are happy to know that this monument is well know throughout the world.
The Coliseum has suffered heavy damaged caused by several earthquakes and it has been virtually reconstructed to shoot the film “Gladiator” with Russell Crowe, but many agree that the reconstruction of the images is not a faithful reproduction of the original amphitheatre. However, the films that have the Coliseum on the background are really innumerable and they are not always historical but also romantic.
If you are planning a visit to the Italian capital, you probably will visit the State of Vatican, too, which is the smallest country in the world. It is interesting to know that this independent city is still linked to the Coliseum by historical events. In fact, the tradition wants that the Pope celebrates the “Way of the Cross” in the Coliseum on Good Friday by torchlight. Quite a suggestive event!
Every tourist who visits Rome is always stunned by such magnificence and work of architecture. The emotion that rises in front of this beauty of engineering is something that a very Roman citizen cannot get rid of. It is not necessary to be an expert of art or history to appreciate the Coliseum. Similarly, it is not necessary to know the different styles of the columns, the architecture of the arcades, the material used to build it or to be fond of the games and hunts held in the arena or the arms of the gladiators, because its grandness is beyond any study and specialisation. The Coliseum enters into everyone’s heart.
Romans who own a house or a flat near the Coliseum call themselves lucky people, as well as the tourists who manage to rent a holiday apartment in Rome city centre and are able to visit all the attractions just stepping out of the rental property and walking for few minutes.
Near the Coliseum there is much to see. In fact many monuments and buildings around the Flavian Amphitheatre belong to several, different periods and represent historical times, battles, victories, lifestyles and a lot of interesting information. It is important to remember that in 1980 the Coliseum entered to be one of the World Heritage Sites and in 2008 becomes part of the New Seven Wonders of the World. In addition, the Coliseum has been chosen as the image to be on the Italian five-cent euro coin. Thus, it is perfectly understandable why Italians are so proud of it and are happy to know that this monument is well know throughout the world.
The Coliseum has suffered heavy damaged caused by several earthquakes and it has been virtually reconstructed to shoot the film “Gladiator” with Russell Crowe, but many agree that the reconstruction of the images is not a faithful reproduction of the original amphitheatre. However, the films that have the Coliseum on the background are really innumerable and they are not always historical but also romantic.
If you are planning a visit to the Italian capital, you probably will visit the State of Vatican, too, which is the smallest country in the world. It is interesting to know that this independent city is still linked to the Coliseum by historical events. In fact, the tradition wants that the Pope celebrates the “Way of the Cross” in the Coliseum on Good Friday by torchlight. Quite a suggestive event!