The Colosseum

Many of my top 10 travel experiences involve history. I have always been interested in history and would love to have taught it. Family history, church history, history of empires and civilizations, etc. This travel experience hits on so many of those areas of interest in me. The Colosseum in Rome has become a symbol of an era - both in what was capable to be built and what happened in the Colosseum. Countless movies have been made about gladiators and other spectacles taking place in this arena. Although I had see the outside before, on this visit to Rome, I was determined to get inside.

Visiting with a former exchange student (Luca) and his family in Rome, we had taken a private tour around Rome hitting all of the major sites. Below is a picture of me with Luca and his mom outside of the Colosseum that day. You can also visit my Carbonaro Challenge post in this blog for more information about that visit.

During our tour that day, I asked the guide about seeing the inside. He mentioned that it was difficult to get in, but did say that the next day - Saturday - was a free entry day. He also mentioned that it would be crazy busy and did not recommend that I try to get in that day. Well, if you know me, I like a challenge. Sometimes they are foolhardy, but many times they pay off. I woke up early that day and it was lightly raining. I thought that this may be a good morning to try to get in to the Colosseum. Perhaps many would not want to get out in the rain and certainly not that early. I thought that it opened at 8:00 so I headed out about 6:30am. Along the way I was able to get many before daylight pictures of some of the major attractions along the way including the Colosseum.

Travel tip: The early bird gets the worm.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Colosseum (/ˌkɒ.lə.ˈsiː.əm/ KOL-ə-SEE-əm; Italian: Colosseo [kolosˈsɛːo]) is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is the largest standing amphitheatre in the world. Construction began under the Emperor Vespasian (r. 69–79 AD) in 72^[1] and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir, Titus (r. 79–81).^[2] Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (r. 81–96).^[3] The three emperors who were patrons of the work are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio [aɱfiteˈaːtro ˈflaːvjo]) by later classicists and archaeologists for its association with their family name (Flavius).
The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced Roman concrete. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points in its history,^[4]^[5] having an average audience of some 65,000;^[6] it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea battles. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Once I arrived at the box office area (where you get your free ticket), I noticed about 4-5 people standing in a line. Not knowing for sure, I joined the line. Another tip - when you see a line - check it out. Asking around, I find out this is the line for the free tickets; however, the box office did not open until 9:00 am. It was about 7:00 am at the time. Some may say, I'm not going to wait two hours in the rain to get in - but not me. I was determined to get in (get that from my mom). So I hung out there for two hours with off and on drizzles - never heavy rain. I saw the line get longer and longer and by the time the box office opened it was a couple of city blocks long. By the time, I got through security - I was like the second person let in to the colosseum. Once again, I found myself almost alone in an amazing piece of architecture and history. Imagining the people from ancient times roaming through these same halls. Below are pictures from that amazing morning.

Travel tip: Put forth the effort to do the major things on your list. You may never have the chance to do them again. Also, don't be put off by advice from others. Go with you gut, desire, and instinct.