| One of the most iconic images of Rome is the | | | | greatest views. Then there was the senatorial |
| colosseum. Construction began on it in 70 and 72 | | | | class's level. These were reserved for a certain |
| AD and was complete about 8 years later in | | | | type of upper class people and had amazing |
| 80AD. Its purpose was not only to be an | | | | views as well -visitors even got to bring their own |
| amphitheatre to seat 50,000 spectators, it was | | | | chairs. The levels above that were for the poorer |
| also designed to impress the thousands of people | | | | visitors as the view made it a lot harder to see |
| who would travel far and wide to come and stare | | | | what was going on. |
| at this astonishing building. Being one of the most | | | | The building is in such well-preserved condition, |
| visited hotspots in the city means that even | | | | despite a number of devastating earthquakes and |
| today, people travel miles to come and see what | | | | people stealing the stones. Thanks to a recent |
| is considered one of the greatest works of | | | | 3million restoration and structural |
| Roman architecture. | | | | reinforcement effort, the amphitheatre is opening |
| The Colosseum was not thought of as being a | | | | its doors to the public and allowing the public |
| very sacred place to begin when it was first | | | | access from the 1st July 2010. |
| created. However, in the 16th and 17th century | | | | The access to the colosseum is very limited at |
| this all changed and, despite some opposition, the | | | | the moment. You can go up to the second level |
| area became synonamous with religion. It still has | | | | and get a reasonably good view, but the third and |
| very strong connections with the Roman Catholic | | | | fourth tier have been off limits to the public since |
| church and every year on Good Friday, the "Way | | | | the 1960's. In the past it wasn't good if you got a |
| of the Cross" procession starts in this area and is | | | | seat at the very top, but these days the views |
| lead by the Pope. | | | | that are on offer are incredible and this is the |
| The different tiers in the structure were allocated | | | | level us tourists want to be. |
| to different types of people. In the days when | | | | If you do plan on visiting the newly opened areas |
| the amphitheatre first opened it's doors, the best | | | | of the colosseum, have a look at our experts |
| seats in the house were reserved for the | | | | recommendations of the best cheap hotels in |
| Emperor and other royalty as they offered the | | | | Rome before your trip. |