Most common question people still ask is, will they take a skip-the-line Colosseum & Arena floor guided tour? Or they will take the tour all by themself.
Someone will advise you to take a guided tour. While others will suggest, you must go alone.
Here’s the thing. Taking others’ advice is opinionated. You are your own best judge. You know best what you prefer the most in traveling.
If you don’t prefer someone to guide you throughout your Colosseum tour. And stick to a particular schedule. You can prepare your own tour.
But if you are yearning to discover all the history and reality of Gladiator. You should take a guided tour to the Colosseum.
What’s inside the Colosseum
Image Source: thecolosseum.org
One of the most spectacular Roman monuments ever built is the Colosseum. It is the world’s largest and most impressive amphitheater. It is one of the seven wonders of the world. Despite the fact that it has been through several fires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, as well as severe human atrocities. It is still towering tall to remind people of its significance.
It continues to be at the top tourist attractions throughout Europe. This spectacular 3-tiered structure gathers 5 million tourists each year.
So what’s so fascinating about the Colosseum. Rather than its immaculate structure. Let’s find out together.
The Design
Image Source: needpix.com
The design was created with the goal of evoking admiration in the Roman public. It was a problem of Rome’s and its emperors’ great authority. This classical design is influenced greatly by Greek architecture.
The inner and outer design of the Colosseum came from the Flavian dynasty. It was also known as the Flavian Amphitheater.
It was built intended to be a place of entertainment. It brought Roman people together to enjoy the gladiator’s fight.
The overall building flaunts an oval structure. This manmade structure has a height of 50 meters, a length of 190 meters, and a width of 156 meters.
The overall structure was made up using a variety of materials. There is a presence of travertine blocks, tufa blocks, and bricks at external walls, stairs, and radial walls.
The construction was strongly supported by arches and vaults. It could hold around 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. It features a total of 80 entrances and exits. Among them, 76 were used for regular citizens. And the rest four were used by the emperor, political and religious officials, and the spectacles’ protagonists.
The Colosseum’s ground floor is designed in a Tuscan style. A slightly more elaborate and aristocratic design can be seen on the 2nd floor. The ornamentation on the third floor is in the Corinthian style.
So it’s safe to say that, Colosseum made a wise decision in designing and constructing this artistic intricacy. It has a more detailed design from top to bottom.
The Arena Floor
Image Source: cdn.getyourguide.com
Arena floor tour colosseum is a must while visiting Rome. Once inside, take a skip-the-line Colosseum & arena floor guided tour.
For the best 360-degree views of the Colosseum, stand on the wooden recreation of the old arena floor.
This is where extreme bloody and deadly combat between gladiators or gladiators and wild beasts took place.
Visiting here you are going to learn about the significance of this game. Go with a fast-track Colosseum with an arena floor tour. Your guide will tell you true stories and reveal some secrets about famous ancient Roman personalities. From your guide you will know about the renowned blood sports that previously took place in the very area where you stand, surrounded by all this majesty.
The arena’s floor is retractable and supported by the building’s existing structure. It allows hypogeum to lift up wild animals and gladiators directly into the arena.
The Hypogeum
Image Source: colosseumrometickets.com
The Hypogeum is the Colosseum’s foundation. It was constructed about ten years after the Colosseum’s inauguration. It was built later due to the mock naval battle at Colosseum.
This location is off-limits to the general public. But with gladiator rooms, Roma guided tour you will have the chance to peek inside the hypogeum.
The whole structure was built in a Masonry style. This is the place where wild beasts were kept hostage. As well as the separate rooms for Gladiators.
There was an area called ‘Ludus Magnus’, now closed for public view. It was connected to the gladiator barracks through a locked door. Gladiators were trained and prepped for the flights there. They used wooden elevators to enter the arena from the ‘Porta Triumphalis’ gate. They also received medical attention after the fights there.
Underground Tunnel
Image Source: idsb.tmgrup.com.tr
The Colosseum is famous for its long-hidden underground tunnel which is a mystery for many people.
Gladiators take these underground tunnels to ready themselves before the physical fight. They used the tunnels to go to their gyms and training rooms.
There were also separate tunnels for the Emperor and Vestal Virgins to access and exit the Colosseum. The tiles in the tunnels were unique and ornately decorated.
What’s the Pros and Cons of taking a guided tour at the Colosseum
First, get straight to the disadvantages of the Guided tour.
- The first thing to consider is the price. While taking a guided tour you have to pay an extra fee for that.
- You have to prepare yourself for a planned itinerary and time schedule. While for some tourists it is a relief, for some it may disturb their own traveling pace.
- If you are a one-man traveler, often it seems that with guided tours you have to pair up with a completely unknown group of people. Maybe they do not share the same kind of enthusiasm and excitement as you share. And for some, it might be annoying.
- If you don’t like the tour guide’s narration or personality, it might be a hassle for you to take a guided tour.
Considering the cons, there are some good points as well for a guided tour.
Hassle-free Tour
You won’t have to do a lot of research before you travel. A guided tour will help you with a personalized tour itinerary. So you will be tension-free during your tour. Though knowing a little about what you’ll be viewing is usually helpful!
Impactful Insights
With a guided tour, you will be accompanied by a professional & knowledgeable tour guide. A guide can provide you with a cultural and human perspective. You will have someone to assist you with any questions you may have. The professional guides are not only incredibly knowledgeable in their field. But it is also beneficial to gain a modern-day perspective of Rome, compared to ancient Rome.
If you want to see the Colosseum the way it was supposed to be seen. You should take a skip-the-line Colosseum & arena floor guided tour. It comes with thorough explanations and insights into its construction and purpose.
Priority Access to the Secret lane
Some portions of the Colosseum including the Arena, the Underground, and the Belvedere are not accessible to the general public. But if you take a guided tour, you will have an immersive tour experience. Such Colosseum tours often extended to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
You will get a complete picture of Rome city with a guided tour. So If you want to view these places, you must hire a guide.
Proper use of time
With the priority access tour, you will get the proper benefit of your allotted time. You’ll be able to skip the queues as you enter the Colosseum. This is a huge benefit, especially if you’re visiting Rome during a busy season.
You won’t be stuck or wonder if you’re looking at the exact location that your audio tour is describing.
An Eventful tour for the whole day
A guided tour means you’re going to explore the Colosseum with a variety of age groups. It’s a great way to know people and get connected with different regions who share the same type of interest.
Not to mention the fascinating information that only a guided tour can supply. Taking a guided tour of the Colosseum will significantly improve the quality of your visit.
Types of Guided Tour you can take:
Live-Guided Tours
If you opt for a Colosseum live guide tour with skip the line, that’s best we suggest. You can avoid the lines and receive immediate access, giving you more time to enjoy the attraction. Not to forget the knowledgeable insights that you receive from the guide.
Audio guide tours
If you are more into an independent tour guy, you can choose the audio-guided tour. Not too different from the live guided tour.
The audio guides provide insights about the Colosseum. It allows you to stroll around at your own leisure. Also, you are learning the history and architecture of the Colosseum. It is the most affordable way to get a fun-filled eventful Colosseum tour.
Virtual reality tours
The new big thing in the tour industry is virtual reality tours. You don’t have to wait outside to get inside the Colosseum. But you can actually see it comfortably.
It’s as simple as exploring the Colosseum. You can explore the Colosseum in its former glory. Watching the applauding Roman spectators and gladiators battle in the arena.
I hope this post has helped you decide whether or not to take a guided tour.
All you have to do now is select the tour and time that is most convenient for you. You can avoid the entrance line and spend more time exploring the rest of Rome, with a special access Colosseum tour.
Thank you for taking the time to visit. We hope you had a great guided Colosseum tour.