The Colosseum or the Coliseum, originally known as the Amphitheatrum Flavium, is the most famous elliptical amphitheatre in the world, located in the centre of the city of Rome.

The largest ever built in the Roman Empire, the Coliseum is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture. Located just east of the Roman Forum and started under the Emperor Vespasian, the Coliseum was completed in 80 AD under Titus.

50,000 spectators could have been accommodate inside, to watch the gladiatorial contests, the re-enactments of famous “pugnae” (battle), amidst unforgettable animal hunts, very cruel executions and mythological theatrical pieces.

In the early medieval era the Coliseum stopped to be such an entertainment place, becoming a space for hosting a religious order, and then a fortress, even a quarry and finally a Christian shrine. Because of the deteriorated state of the theatre, it is impossible today to use the Colosseum to host large events and now only a few hundred people can be let in inside, using temporary seating. Outside the Colosseum instead performers have played major concerts, such as Ray Charles, Paul McCartne, Elton John and Billy Joel.

Partially ruined by horrible earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is still an icon of Imperial Rome and nowadays it is one of the most important tourist attractions in the “URBE ETERNA”, and recently it became also a symbol for the international campaign against capital punishment.

Apartments near Colosseum