So, you finally realized that it’d been a while since your souvenir collection had its last addition; thus, you decided to get off your couch and set out for some adventure? And then you dropped the pin on the Roman Colosseum?
I don’t know if you knew that already, but let me tell you, this tour is going to be one of the best tours of your entire life. If you’re wondering how that will happen, I’m your virtual tour guide, here to talk about the things you shouldn’t miss on this tour.
Sounds good? Okay then, let’s grab our passport and catch a flight!
History lesson alert!
Yes, I know, I know! You don’t like those history sessions where someone robotically narrates who did what and whatnot. I wasn’t a fan of those history courses myself, either. But since we’re visiting The Colosseum, it’s somewhat mandatory to have some historical knowledge about the place. But I promise I’ll try not to sound like your grumpy old college professor.
So, The Roman Colosseum is a Flavian Amphitheater. You know what an amphitheater is, right? It’s like a stadium we see these days, with a more ancient design. The Roman Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever made. It was built around 70-80 AD and has gone through a lot since then. Once upon a time, it used to be a battle arena for gladiators. By the passage of time, it went through a lot of changes and breakdowns. In the latter part of the last century, The Colosseum got into a restoration program. It thus became one of the seven wonders of the world and a major international tourist spot, providing people like us with a job, of course.
Close-in!
You look worried. Are you worried about how we’ll get to the Colosseum? It’s okay, nothing to be worried about. The Colosseum is located about 1 km southeast of the historic center of Rome. There are underground metros that take us directly to the Colosseum. There are two lines. We’ll need to take the metro line B and get off at the Colosseo stop.
If you are dropping at the Fiumicino Airport, you can take the Trenitalia train that leaves every 15 minutes for Tiburtina station. You’ll be there in approximately 40 minutes, and then, from there, you can take the Underground Metro and drop at the Colosseum stop.
If you’re at the Ciampino Airport, you’ll need to take a bus ride to any Metro station. There are two options here. The 520 bus will take you to nearby Subauguta and Cinecittà stations, and the 720 bus will take you to the more distant Laurentina station. Take either of them, drop by the station, and then get on a Metro for the Colosseum. See, was it that hard?
Now what?
Yaaayy! We’re here!! The Colosseum, finally! Look how gigantic that thing is! It has to be, and it could hold 50,000 people at a time. Although it’s in pieces now, you can sense the roaring ancient Rome in the structure. That’s the only thing that attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. Oh, slow your roll! Let me buy tickets for you. Otherwise, the roman guards won’t let you get past the gate!
The infrastructure of the Colosseum
All right, now we’re in. Go on, look around. Does it feel you have left the modern civilization behind and stepped into Romans’?
If you look around inside the Colosseum, you’ll see paths people are walking on. And a big playground-like place in the middle. Do you see those stones? Those in the middle of the theater were intended to keep the fighters, Gladiators, and animals separated. Did you know, the day the Colosseum was first opened, the inauguration ceremony lasted 100 days! There were gladiator fights in which dozens of Gladiators died. Some historians say that almost 9000 animals perished during this 100-day opening party. Sounds a bit uncivilized for the famous Roman Civilization. Well, we all have histories.
And the paths we’re walking on used to be galleries. From here the people enjoyed the sports. Though it doesn’t have the impression, it used to have once. Most of the infrastructure of the Colosseum has decayed over time, but you can still find the amazing Roman textures in the structure and engineering. They somehow managed to make a building strong enough to survive for nearly 2000 years; doesn’t it make you tick?
Even if it doesn’t, we should move on. It’s getting crowded here anyway.
That’s it?
No! We have barely started. Since you liked the Colosseum, I think we should visit the Roman Forum, and it’s not very far from here. The Roman Forum is a place mostly surrounded by the Ruins of Roman Architecture. It’s said that this place used to be a market, and these ruins were government buildings. Though most of them are demolished, you will find some interesting architectural masterpieces still standing tall.
From the Roman Forum, we should visit the Triumphal Arches. Romans built several Arches in this area. Each one of those has its unique design. And they’re so beautiful and monumental. I see them almost every day, yet I can hardly take my eyes off them whenever I see one. You seem to be an enthusiast for these sorts of things. Therefore, I think when you’ll get to see them, you’ll love them as well. But Since we’re on a tight schedule, I will only take you to the ones you shouldn’t miss.
The Arch of Titus is considerably the most popular among the triumphal arches of Rome because of both historical and monumental excellence. This arch contains inscriptions and sculptures honoring the military victories of Emperor Titus. Later it would be best if you lay your eyes on The Arch of Constantine, a structure made up of 3 arches decorated with figures and battle scenes. And last but not least, Septimius Servus Arch, a marble arch erected at the northwest corner of the Roman Forum in 203 AD to celebrate the defeat of the Parthians.
Okay! What else?
It seems you’re enjoying this ancient Rome trip after all! Oh yes, I think you’ll like this. So, there’s a temple right by the Colosseum. Locals call it Tempio Dei Dioscuri or the Temple Of The Dioscuri. Though most people deem this as a ruin, I think it still has purity and godliness inside. It has 4 Corinthian Columns, which refer to the mythical twin gods of Rome, built in the 4th century BC.
Not sure whether you’re interested in Roman architecture and history, but if you are, you must’ve heard of Emperor Nero. He had a villa complex, originally decorated with colorful frescoes. The locals called that gigantic palace Domus Aurea. This grand 3-storeyed villa’s ruin is still a structural and monumental sight to see and attracts a huge number of tourists.
What’s about those Churches?
Oh wow! Are you interested in those too? I must say, you are a real traveler! Yes, there are numerous churches around here. But the ones you’re referring to are not known as churches.
They’re called Basilica. There are more than 200 churches in Rome, where there are only 19 Basilicas. Basilicas are exceptional because of their antiquity or by their role as international centers of worship. If you’re eager to see a Basilica, then I’ll recommend The Basilica of Maxentius. It’s the remaining nave of a Roman Basilica that once housed the colossal statue of Emperor Constantine. You can visit The Basilica di Santa Francesca Romana, a church incorporating part of the Roman Temple of Venus and Roma. This Basilica also has the body of Pope Gregory IX.
You look hungry!
It’s obvious, though. You’ve been walking and sightseeing all day. It’s time to find a suitable place to make your tummy happy. I know a good number of restaurants you’d probably like to try. There’s this one, La Base, approximately 3 blocks away from The Colosseum. It’s one of my favorites. Great foods under a reasonable price tag, just the way a tourist likes! You can also try two other restaurants nearby, al42 by Pasta Chef Monti and Iari The Vino, both in the same area of La Base.
Ristoro Della Salute, this one right by the Colosseum. This one also serves great local food with a slightly higher price, but you’ll get premium tourist service there if that is your preference. Other than these, there are a lot of other restaurants and cafes around. But these are my top recommendations!
Do you want to prolong the vacation?
Does it feel like you can’t cover everything in a daylong tour and might end up staying for a few days? Hey, you’re not alone! A lot of people visit Rome for a day and find themselves eager to stay the whole weekend. And this is very natural, considering there are so many things to explore in such a short duration of time. And of course, there are some places I’d say you must visit before you leave.
- First, The Sanctuary, A nightclub you should try if you decide to stay for the night. It’s a tranquil spot for global fare, garden seating, wellness treatment, and there’s an outdoor pool as well.
- If you decide to stay for the night, then I’d say that you should have a plan to visit the Circus Maximus the next day. It’s a green space and remains of a stone. And there’s also this marble arena that could seat 250,000 Romans for chariot races. Sounds fascinating yet?
- Okay, I think you’ll like this one. There’s a marble mask called the Mouth of Truth. This massive mask weighs around 1300 kgs. Some think that this mask depicts the face of the sea titan God Oceanus. According to the lasting medieval legend, it’ll bite off the hand of any liar who places their hand in its mouth or whether someone speaks a lie while their hand in its mouth.
So, if you’re planning to stay one more day, then we’ll have to look for someplace where you can spend the night. There are so many hotels and vacation rentals available for tourists at various price ranges. This allows you to choose the right place to crash at night without hurting your budget too much. And there are also a bunch of discounts and vouchers available for tourists. Just look up online and find the best one suitable for you.
What? Can’t figure out how or which one is the best choice for you? Just let us know, and we’ll do the heavy lifting for you.
Suntan Lotion, Umbrella, or A Jacket?
Well, you’ll surely need an umbrella, because honestly, it’s hard to predict when it’s going to rain in Rome. But on average, it rains 4-5 days in a month. So carrying a small umbrella in your backpack should be a good idea. The other two depend on where you usually live. In summer, the temperature usually rises to 31°C, and the lowest gets to 19°C. But in fall, the highest temperature stays around 12-16°C. The lowest goes to 3-7°C. So, if you are a resident of a warm country, you’ll probably need a jacket. On the contrary, If you’re from a cold-weather country, you better get your sunscreen.
Boarding pass.
And then we’re at the end of our tour. I know it’s been exhausting, but that’s not the point. A tour is not just about traveling. It’s about rediscovering ourselves, learning something new, feeling the changes we go through, and accepting them. It’s about becoming better versions of ourselves. Whatever you’re looking for, I hope you’ll find it here.
EndNote
Okay, this is where I get off. I presume I have provided you with enough insights and information to tour the Colosseum and the nearby places. And I think if you follow this guide, you’ll cover most of the things you need to see on this tour. Best of luck, don’t forget to take a Roman souvenir for your souvenir collection.
