5 Things Not to Miss:
The Colosseum in Rome

Top 5 Things to Do When in Rome: The Colosseum

The Colosseum is an attraction entirely meant to be marveled at for its grandeur. Walking up to the monument, there's a sense of awe and wonder mixed with a bit of horror at all that took place in the giant amphitheater. Apart from simply taking in the scale and architecture, there might be more to a Colosseum visit than you think. Here is a look at the top five things you should check out while exploring the Colosseum and the surrounding area in Rome.

Walk Through the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy

With sites dating back to 500 B.C., the Roman Forum, Forum Romanum, or simply "The Forum," was the center of day-to-day life in Rome. Originally a marketplace, the site evolved to be the stage for elections, speeches, trials, and most publicized events of Roman life. Today you can stroll the paths walked by the likes of Julius Caesar, and come across ruins of several important ancient buildings, including the Temple of Saturn and the Curia Julia, the official meeting place of the Roman Senate built by Julius Caesar in 44 BC.

Rome's Top Sites

Visit the Eros Museum at the Colosseum in Rome

Located on the upper level of the outer wall of the Colosseum, you can find a museum dedicated to Eros, the Greek god of love. The museum is an interesting stop because it contains a multitude of artifacts, including a large collection of busts, collected directly from the excavation of the Colosseum.

See the Arch of Constantine in Rome, Italy

Located outside of the Colosseum itself, this towering archway stands more than 60 feet tall and pays homage to Emperor Constantine. The tribute, hailing Constantine's 312 AD victory of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, is the largest and best-preserved Roman triumphal arch remaining. Showcasing a total of three archways, the structure plays a little trick on unsuspecting guests. You see, it is actually composed of relief items taken from other fallen structures. That means that not all the symbolism and pictures on the arch have much to do with this victory, or even with Constantine. While viewing the arch, try to find images of a boar hunt and a sacrifice to Apollo.

Explore Palatine Hill in Rome, Italy

Located just across from the Colosseum, you can find the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome. This location is also considered one of the most ancient parts of all of Rome. Many of the original Romans are believed to have lived on Palatine Hill, and in fact, the city itself is believed to have been named for one of the original residents; Romulus. According to Roman mythology, this is the site where Romulus killed not only his great uncle but also his twin brother Remus.

Check Out the Flora of Rome's Colosseum

Don’t overlook the plant life around the Colosseum as you take in the grandeur of the structure and bloody history of her past. In fact, life is growing here in abundance. The plant life that grows within the structure is not there simply for beautification, it’s there by its own choosing. There have been more than 684 species of plant identified here since the first cataloging in 1643. In the 1800s scientists attempted to remove all of the vegetation, concerned that the roots would damage the deteriorating stone structures. Today there are roughly 200 active plant species that call the stone walls of the Colosseum home.

Colosseum History & Facts

• The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, was built between 72-80 AD under the rule of the Roman Emperor Vespasian.

• It is the largest amphitheater ever built and could hold up to 50,000 spectators.

• The Colosseum was used for a variety of events, including gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, mock sea battles, and public executions.

• The construction of the Colosseum required over 100,000 cubic meters of stone and concrete, and it took over ten years to complete.

• The Colosseum is estimated to have cost between 300,000 and 400,000 sesterces, which was a considerable amount of money in ancient Rome.

• The Colosseum was damaged by earthquakes and plundered for its stone and metal over the centuries, but it remains one of Rome's most well-preserved ancient structures.