The 50,000-seat Flavian Amphitheatre is the greatest monument of Imperial Rome, still standing after 2,000 years. Gladiatorial combat, public executions and animal hunts took place here.
The Colosseum, formally the Flavian Amphitheatre, stands at Piazza del Colosseo in central Rome and is the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman world. Construction began under Emperor Vespasian around 70-72 AD on the site of Nero's drained artificial lake and was inaugurated by his son Titus in 80 AD with a hundred days of games; further modifications followed under Domitian. The travertine, tufa and brick-faced concrete structure measures roughly 189 by 156 metres and once held an estimated 50,000 spectators, who entered through 80 numbered arched entrances and were seated by social rank, from senators at the arena edge to women and the poor in the upper timber tiers. For nearly four centuries it hosted gladiatorial combat (munera), staged animal hunts (venationes) and public spectacles, until such games faded in the early medieval period. Visible today are the surviving northern outer wall of three superimposed arcades crowned by an attic storey, the cavea seating remnants, and the exposed hypogeum — the two-level network of tunnels, cells and lift shafts beneath the arena floor where gladiators, prisoners and wild animals were held and raised by counterweighted machinery. A reconstructed section of wooden arena flooring lets visitors stand where combatants once fought. The building was quarried for stone in the Middle Ages and damaged by earthquakes, notably in 1349, which felled much of the southern outer ring; the displaced stone is still visible. Since the 19th century it has been progressively consolidated, and a major external cleaning and restoration funded by the Tod's company was completed in 2016. Now managed by the Parco archeologico del Colosseo, the monument is presented chronologically and thematically, with panels on engineering, daily Roman life and the games, plus rotating exhibitions on the upper levels. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it remains the enduring symbol of Imperial Rome and the most visited monument in Italy, drawing over seven million people each year to a single ticket that also covers the adjacent Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
Why it matters
The Colosseum was the grandest entertainment venue of Imperial Rome and the largest amphitheatre ever built, hosting gladiatorial games for nearly four centuries, and it endures as the defining symbol of ancient Rome and Roman engineering.
Highlights
- Walk the reconstructed arena floor where gladiators fought, on a guided arena-access ticket
- Descend into the hypogeum, the underground network of cells and lift shafts beneath the arena
- Trace the surviving three-tier northern outer wall of travertine arcades
- See the cavea seating remnants that once held about 50,000 ranked spectators
- View the upper-level exhibition panels on Roman engineering and the staging of the games
Tips for visiting
- Buy the timed-entry ticket online in advance from the official Parco archeologico del Colosseo site; standard combined entry is about €18
- Arena-floor and underground tours sell out fast and must be booked separately, often weeks ahead
- Arrive at the first 09:00 slot or late afternoon to avoid the heaviest queues and midday heat
- The combined ticket also covers the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill across 24 hours, so plan both together
- Free admission is offered on the first Sunday of each month, though crowds are very heavy that day
- Security screening is airport-style; bring minimal bags and a refillable bottle for the nasoni fountains nearby
When to visit
Early morning at opening or the last two hours before closing are best for thinner crowds and softer light; spring and autumn avoid the summer heat that bakes the largely unshaded arena.
Accessibility
The Colosseum has step-free routes and lifts serving the first and second tiers, and wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge; the hypogeum and some upper areas remain inaccessible due to ancient stairs and uneven footing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Colosseum English-language friendly?
Yes. Signage and panels are in Italian and English, audio guides and official app tours are available in English, and most guided tours run in English.
How long does a full visit take?
A standard visit takes about one to one and a half hours; allow two to three hours if you add the arena floor and underground tour, and longer to include the Forum and Palatine on the same ticket.
Can you visit with kids?
Yes, children often enjoy the arena and tunnels, and entry is free for under-18s. The uneven ancient surfaces and stairs make strollers awkward, so a carrier is easier for toddlers.