
The Colosseum Aerial Views & Side Views: Don’t Miss this Beauty!
As an emblem of Roman expertise in architecture and engineering, the Colosseum offers several awe-inspiring views. Built almost 1950 years ago, this magnificent tourist point is always surrounded by thousands of visitors adoring its grandeur.
How huge this building is and for what the purpose the Colosseum was built, here you’ll find the answer to every question that makes you wonder. But don’t forget to enjoy the amazing Colosseum aerial views, such as it side view!
Contents
- 1 History of the Roman Colosseum
- 2 Purpose of the Colosseum Rome
- 3 Stunning and Captivating: The Roman Colosseum AERIAL Views
- 4 Aesthetic and Colossal: The Roman Colosseum SIDE Views
- 5 Aerial View Colosseum Map
- 6 Some Fun Facts about The Roman Colosseum
- 7 Colosseum Rome Opening Hours
- 8 How to get tickets for Colosseum
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions about Colosseum Aerial View
History of the Roman Colosseum
Constructed somewhere between 72 A.D and 80 A.D, the Colosseum is the world’s largest amphitheater ever. Suggesting the base design of the Colosseum, the word amphitheater means “the theatre in the round”. Built under Emperor Vespasian, the Colosseum was initially called Flavian Amphitheatre: named after the Flavian dynasty of Emperors, including Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian.
Perhaps the Colosseum got its present name from the enormous statue of Emperor Nero – The Colossus. Now destroyed, the statue was 35 meters high and stood right next to the amphitheater.
Having the central arena elliptical, the Colosseum was built to accommodate 50,000 spectators at a time. It had four stories; with eighty arches in each of the first three had. This ovoid central arena was surrounded by a huge wall.
Once all white and completely covered in splendid travertine stone slabs, the present-day Colosseum is just a skeleton. By the 20th century, the Colosseum lost nearly two-thirds of its original. As a consequence of this massive damage, a restoration project was begun in the 1990s.
Purpose of the Colosseum Rome
Initially, the Colosseum was used as an arena of gladiatorial games traditionally attended by the emperors. In addition to these games, the Colosseum also hosted dramas, re-enactments of wars, and even public executions.
As the Roman interest in games faded and the Western Roman Empire faced a fall, the Colosseum spark and structure started to decline. In 435 AD, the gladiator contests stopped happening in the Colosseum and the last animal hunts in the Colosseum took place in 532 CE.
Stunning and Captivating: The Roman Colosseum AERIAL Views
The Roman Colosseum aerial views are strikingly captivating as can be seen in the following images.
Aesthetic and Colossal: The Roman Colosseum SIDE Views
Similar to the aerial views, the Roman Colosseum side views are no lesser aesthetic and picturesque.
Aerial View Colosseum Map
The wonderful aerial views of the Colosseum, Rome can also be witnessed from the images captured by the satellites. Check them here via Google Earth.
Some Fun Facts about The Roman Colosseum
Apart from being an eye-catching monument of the present-day Rome, the Colosseum isn’t short of rich history and vibrant past. Here are some lesser-known facts about the Colosseum that no one wants to miss.
1. Clever Construction
The Colosseum is an epitome of clever construction ideas. Besides several underground passages and rooms for holding the wild animals and gladiators before the game, the Colosseum arena had 36 trap doors for special effects. Moreover, a type of Roman awning called the velarium was pulled all over the Colosseum during the shows to protect the spectators from the scorching sun.
2. The Tradition of Joy
The Colosseum proved to be the point of joy for the ancient Romans. To celebrate the opening of the Colosseum, Titus held the gladiator contests that lasted up to 100 days. Whereas, the emperor Commodus himself also performed in the arena on hundreds of occasions. Besides that, the ancient Romans enjoyed free entry for the events paid by the emperors to gain popularity. There they also enjoyed free food throughout the shows.
3. The Brutal Record
Contrary to the joyful traditions, the Colosseum has some brutal happenings related to it. As the Roman Colosseum was constructed under the rule of Emperor Vespasian, the possibility is that its constructors were tens of thousands of Jewish slaves. Moreover, the bloody contests in the arena resulted in the demise of over 400,000 people and more than a million wild animals.
4. Matchless Measurement
The Colosseum height is 157 ft. (48 meters) and a perimeter of 1.788 feet (545 meters). This arena is the largest amphitheater on earth.
5. Naumachias- the Sea Battles
Apart from the gladiatorial games, animal hunts, and re-enactments of battles, it is quite astonishing to know that the arena was even flooded with water to host mock sea battles or the naumachias.
Colosseum Rome Opening Hours
With the following Colosseum opening hours, the site is open every day except January 1, May 1 and December 25 to December 30:
Days | Opening hours |
---|---|
until February 15 | 08.30 am- 4.30 pm |
from February 16 to March 15 | 08.30 am- 5.00 pm |
from March 16 to last Saturday of March | 08.30 am – 5.30 pm |
from the last Sunday of March to August 31 | 08.30 am – 7.15 pm |
from September 1 to September 30 | 08.30 am – 7.00 pm |
from October 1 to last Saturday of October | 08.30 am – 6.30 pm |
It should be noted that the times of visits to the Colosseum are guided by the closing times of the place and can’t be extended further.
How to get tickets for Colosseum
Feeling triggered to get to the Colosseum as soon as possible for enjoying all these breathtaking sights live?
To visit one of the most amazing pieces of architecture and engineering, book the skip-the-line tickets now.
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- Colosseum + Belvedere Panoramic View (English Tour) – Book here!
- Colosseum-Fast Track! – Book Now!
- Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill Priority Access Guide – Book your tour here!
Frequently Asked Questions about Colosseum Aerial View
What are the best Colosseum Aerial View photos?
The aerial view of the Colosseum Rome is strikingly captivating. Here are the best Colosseum aerial view photos.
How old is Colosseum in Rome?
Built between 72 A.D and 80 A.D, the Colosseum is around 1950 years old.
Is the Colosseum open today?
With the following opening hours, the Colosseum is open every day except January 1, May 1 and December 25 to December 30:
- 08.30 am- 4.30 pm: until February 15
- 08.30 am- 5.00 pm: from February 16 to March 15
- 08.30 am - 5.30 pm: from March 16 to last Saturday of March
- 08.30 am - 7.15 pm: from the last Sunday of March to August 31
- 08.30 am - 7.00 pm: from September 1 to September 30
- 08.30 am - 6.30 pm: from October 1 to last Saturday of October
How much is entry to the Colosseum, Rome?
For adults, the entry fee to the Colosseum in Rome is 12 Euros.
Fanny, an ardent admirer of ancient history and architecture, has been fascinated by the Colosseum since her first visit to Rome in 2012. As a key contributor to the Visit Colosseum Rome blog, she brings her passion for the Roman Empire’s monumental legacy to every article and guide.