Travel

Complete Guide To The Roman Colosseum

March 29, 2016 / 5:00 AM PDT / KCAL News

Visiting the Colosseum is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Rome, especially if this is your first time. Once an amphitheater built by the Roman emperors for gladiator shows and hunts of wild animals, the Roman Colosseum has become a symbol of the Eternal City. Those who want a look into the history of this region will want to make sure this site is on their list. While there, you will see the different parts of the Colosseum, including areas where gladiators were imprisoned and the battle arena.

Fun Facts

The Colosseum was built back in 80 A.D. Its inauguration lasted one hundred days and more than five thousand beasts were killed. Spectators received free admission and were seated according to their social and class status. It was built to entertain the masses with brutal and barbaric games fought by gladiators. Other interesting facts that may be of interest when planning a vacation to the Colosseum include:

It was built by Emperor Vespasian, the founder of the Flavian dynasty
The Colosseum is 189 meters long, 156 meters wide and is an elliptical building
The Colosseum can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators
An earthquake forced the southern side of the Colosseum to collapse in 847
Approximately 500,000 people and more than one million wild animals lost their lives at the Colosseum
The final gladiator fights were held in 435 CE and the final animal hunts occurred in 523 CE

Admission

There are three separate entrances to the Roman Colosseum - The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Those who have plenty of time to explore the entire Colosseum will want to make sure they are able to visit through the different entrances. This ensures you will get to see everything each entrance has to offer, both inside and outside of the gates. Though the entrances are separate, they all share the same admission ticket.

Tickets to the Colosseum can be purchased online and are valid for two days of admission. Ticket prices vary depending upon the areas of the Colosseum you want to see and any other ad-on admissions you want to include. Click here for a complete list of current ticket prices and to order your tickets in advance.

Must-See

When at the Colosseum, there are a few landmarks that you must make the time to see. These landmarks include the Arch of Constatine, St. Peter's Chains, The Temple of Saturn, The Arch of Septimius, the Curia, Lapis Niger, Temple of Julius Caesar, Bascilla Aemilia and the Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina.

Places To Dine

There is no place inside the Colosseum to grab some food. This is why many visitors plan ahead and bring something to eat and/or snack on with them. If you want to grab something to eat before or after exploring the Colosseum there are a few restaurants nearby. Some of the most popular places to eat near the Colosseum include Ristorante Naumachia, Aroma Restaurant and Café Café. Other popular places to dine in the area include Da Domenico, Li Rioni and Taverna dei Quaranta.

Places To Shop

There are a variety of different shopping opportunities near the Roman Colosseum. Visitors will find everything from food souvenirs to Roman helmets and souvenir plates to handmade goods at local shops and markets. Some popular places to shop near the Colosseum include Abracalabria, Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano, Bio Enzo Macalleria and Market on Via Santi Cuattro Incoronati. Those looking to take a piece of Rome home with them are sure to find something they want to purchase while shopping at these neighboring shops and markets.

Places To Sleep

There are many hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts and rooms available in Rome. The variety of accommodations available in the area make it possible to find something no matter what your travel budget it. If you are on a budget you will find affordable accommodations at the Bed and Breakfast Brilli, Hotel Adas and Hotel Ivanhoe.

Those who are not traveling on a tight budget will have a variety of other places to stay while visiting Rome. In addition to the budget hotels, Rome is also home to several medium range to luxury hotels and resorts. Other popular places to stay include the Aenea Superior Inn, Angelus B&B, Hotel Forum, Torre Colonna Guest House, mok'house, Residenze Argileto and Hotel Lancelot.

Visiting the Roman Colosseum offers more than just a look into the regions past. Travelers will not only be able to get a glimpse of what life was like in ancient Rome, but also have the opportunity to enjoy fine restaurants and shop from local merchants.

Heather Landon (Heather Leigh Carroll) is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience. She has combined two of her passions - writing and travel - to share her experiences with others. You can read more of her articles at Examiner.com.