The Colosseum is also kwown as the “Flavian Amphitheater” and has a 55,000 spectators seating capacity. Fights with gladiators and wild animals were staged free of charge by the emperor and by rich citizens for public viewing.

Commissioned by the Emperor Vespasian between 70 and 72 AD, it was completed in 80 AD by his son Domitian. It was built on a marshy site of a lake near Nero’s enormous palace, there was a very tall statue (a colossus) of Nero nearby, from which legend says the Colosseum’s name was originated from. Later it was destroyed in the great fire of Rome.

The Colosseum was designed in such a clever way that it has been said that most today’s stadiums, and structures alike have been inspired by the ideas introduced in the Colosseum’s building structure, even in modern times. The Colosseum could be evacuated in less than in five minutes.

One of the most incredible parts of the Colosseum was its cooling system. It was roofed using a canvas covered by a structure made of ropes, with a hole in the midlle to provide a breeze for the romans attending the game.

Another nifty feature the Colosseum had was a “vomitoria” – a passageway that opens into a row of seats from below or behind. The vomitoria of the Colosseum in Rome were designed so that the massive venue could fill in 15 minutes. (There were 80 entrances at ground level, 76 for ordinary spectators and 4 for the imperial family.) A true magnificent architectural development for its time. It’s a also a building of great beauty and design.

In the Middle Ages, it turned into a fortress and some marble was used to make quicklime. In the Renaissance and in the Baroque age, the most important Roman families (from which many Popes of the Catholic Church were belonging) used Colosseum’s as a source of marble for the construction of St. Peters Basilica in Vatican.

Colosseum area is also a very popular and lively spot in Rome, with lots of typical restaurants, cafes, pubs and wine bars.