Certain events should never occur such as visiting Rome without visiting the Colosseum is just one of them.

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheater constructed in the world. It is also the most visited site in Italy. However, if you believe the attraction’s fame is based solely on its impressive size and its ancient gladiator battles it is not the case. The mind-boggling and bizarre Colosseum was able to impact life of Romans and visitors for many centuries after its glory days.

You’re still wondering what you need to know about the Colosseum? Find out 10 reasons why you should go to this site Roman Colosseum and discover!

1. The hypogeum can be seen.

We all heard about the gladiator fights which took place in The Colosseum’s Arena. What if I said the arena is no more? Yes, you’re right!! I wouldn’t believe it if anyone had informed me.

However, you’ll have lots of fun picturing the shock on my face as I walked into the Colosseum for the first time, only to discover the arena had no flooring.

The Colosseum’s main arena was destroyed by archaeologists in 19th century, and has never been rebuilt completely. It was only a small fraction of it was rebuilt in order for visitors to feel a similar sensation during certain tours.

I admit that I was somewhat surprised to find that. I wanted to see the stadium that I would often imagine in my mind. It took me only few minutes to let go of my frustration and appreciate the positive aspect that was revealed: it’s possible to clearly see the hypogeum!

The word hypogeum comes from the Greek word that means underground. It is the underground area below the Colosseum’s bleachers as well as the arena. In the hypogeum, gladiators and animals were kept prior to the beginning of each fight and was also where the 36 trap doors that were used for extra effects were kept. The Colosseum’s backstage.

Because there is no arena anymore The hypogeum can be seen beautifully exposed.

The underground section looks like an intricate labyrinth. You can explore it on the special tour. If you’re a history and adventure lover like me and have a few euros, this tour is the best option. Underground tours are available through a number of travel companies. If you’re looking to keep the additional euros in your pockets Now you know that you’ll still be able to gaze at the hypogeum using the regular ticket.

2. Battles between naval forces took place inside

Archaeologists weren’t the first ones to tear down the arena of the Colosseum. The floor of wooden coated with sand, which Romans initially used had been removed prior to having the Colosseum filled with water to hold fake naval fights.

Amazing, right? Romans actually did succeed in turning their Colosseum into a massive swimming pool, and even having battles with the sea inside!

The battles, referred to as naumachiae were not very well-known, however; and they stopped completely after 1 AD when Romans made the arena’s wooden support structures with brick walls, making it virtually impossible to see the Colosseum to be flooded again.

Unfortunately we have to say that there aren’t visible traces of the Naumachiae. But, with a amount in imagination you may imagine them in the interior in the Colosseum.

3. The seven entrances to hell.

The Colosseum was neglected completely following the end of the Roman Empire. After it was destroyed through fires and earthquakes, no person even thought of restoring it. Instead, the smashed stones were instead used to construct other structures across the city.

Parts from the Colosseum were snatched away with no regrets since, during the Middle Ages, the then-called Flavian Amphitheater (named in honor of Flavian Dynasty of Emperors). Flavian Dynasty of Emperors) was not regarded as a landmark. As an emblem of pagan times it was an agro-cultural site for the most powerful authority in Medieval Rome which was Rome’s Catholic Church.

Because of its poor condition and the sheer number of people who perished within – more than 500,000 and 1,000,000 animals – stories of macabre nature about the Colosseum quickly spread.

Following every gladiatorial contest there would be a grouchy figure show up in the arena to confirm that the gladiator died. The Middle Ages, this figure was believed to be related to the ferryman, who collected souls that die and leads into the notion that the Colosseum is one of seven entrances to hell.

Medieval Romans believe that the Colosseum had been haunted from the ghosts of dead gladiators. Also, they believed that witches and wizards utilized the plants they found in the ruins to create magical potions.

The truth is that the amphitheater also had its own reasons to make you shiver in the medieval era. The amphitheater was also an ancient cemetery at some period in time and criminals could utilize the site to conceal the remains of the victims.

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4. It was a dreamy garden

Medieval Romans were given a plausible evidence to suggest that witches and wizards utilized special plants within the Colosseum to make magical potion. The Colosseum was a natural garden and when botanists began to study the plants within they found that a lot of them were unique.

Botanical studies conducted at the Colosseum begin in 1643 when Domenico Panaroli identified 337 species of plants within the ruin. In the year 1850, English botanist Richard Deakin discovered around 420 species. Some were widespread in Italy However, others were not found in Europe in any way.

One popular theory is that when the ancient Romans transported wild animals to Africa to their homes for entertainment Many of the animals had seeds embedded in their stomachs and furs. This theory hasn’t been proven.

The exotic plants that came from, botanists believe they were able to thrive in the Colosseum because of the presence of microclimates in the.

The Colosseum has become an idyllic garden. The 19th century after Italian nationalists defeated the Pope The new Italian government turned over the Colosseum to archaeologists. In the 20th century, the arena’s floor had been removed, as was most of the plants.

If you pay attention If you pay attention, you’ll be able to see a few tiny plants on the floor of the hypogeum however – a relic from the Colosseum’s earliest green days.

5. It became a sacred place in the 18th century.

Despite the negative image associated with the Colosseum as haunted and a demoniac site the ruins of the Colosseum played multiple functions throughout the history of the world. Between the 16th and 17th century and the 17th century, the Catholic Church showed a particular interest in the amphitheater, and worked to find ways to reuse it.

The most intriguing idea was made by The most intriguing attempt came from Pope Sixtus V, who planned to convert the Colosseum into a wool mill to offer prostitutes jobs. The wool factory never existed however, because Sixtus V died in 1590 only five years after he was elected Pope.

The 18th century was when the Catholic Church acknowledged the amphitheater as a sacred site. While there is no indication of any executions committed by the early Christians at the Colosseum during the Roman Empire however, the Pope Benedict XIV claimed that the arena was made holy through the bloodshed of Christian martyrs. Then, he established religious sites within the arena and the Colosseum was a center of cult and pilgrimage.

The church was demolished during the 18th century. The fascist dictator Benito Mussolini took over Italy and attempted to impress his fellow members of the Catholic Church by constructing new crosses in the Colosseum. The cross was made to replace for the one that was taken away in the 1870’s. It is still visible on the northeastern side of the amphitheater.

Three centuries after, the site is still holy to Christians. Each year the amphitheater is closed to visitors on Good Friday. The Pope is the one to lead the customary Via Crucis ceremony at the memorial.

6. You can stand where that the monument of Nero was

Following after the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD The polemic Emperor Nero constructed a massive palace for himself called The Golden House. Inside there was a huge artificial lake that was surrounded by a huge bronze sculpture of Nero close to it. The lake was then buried following Nero’s demise to make way for the Colosseum and the statue remained.

When the Emperor Vespasian began building his Flavian Amphitheater in the late 16th century, he did not remove the statue of Nero. Instead, he changed the head with that of Apollo god of the sun. calling his Statue Colossus Solis.

It is believed by historians that it was due to the word “colossus” – meaning a huge statue – that Flavian Amphitheater was first referred to as Colosseum during late in Middle Ages.

The statue was able to keep its head rearranged by various heads throughout history. It was at some point that it vanished, leaving no trace of its remains. The final reference to the Colossus was discovered in a manuscript dating to in the early 4th century AD. The exact details of what transpired with it, or even when it happened, was ever found.

It is believed that it was damaged due to an earthquake. Others believe claim it was taken. Whatever the reason there is nothing left of the statue, besides the base of concrete where it was previously.

The base is situated right beside the Colosseum located near the entry point and in a small square where a lot of representatives of travel agencies stand and gather guests who want to book an exclusive tour with them.

There is a tree adjacent to it, and a lot of tourists eagerly awaiting their tour to begin take refuge beneath its shadow. The majority of them don’t realize that they’re putting their feet in the exact spot for the statue Nero.

Once you’ve figured out about it, ensure you don’t let it slip by to go on by, and be a colossus you are!

7. The Arch of Constantine is its close neighbor.

You can clearly see that a few of the reasons you should go to the Colosseum are found outside its walls. For instance, the Arch of Constantine, the most important and well-preserved Roman triumphal arch is among the best.

The Arch of Constantine was most likely constructed in members of the Roman Senate around 315 AD to commemorate Constantine I’s victory over his battle with Milvian Bridge. There are some debates about the arch’s origins, but they suggests that the arches may be constructed earlier for different purposes.

The arch’s design is not unique. It’s actually made up of pieces of other monuments of the imperial era, with only a handful of parts created exclusively for the arch. The historians believe that architects in the past reused the materials they had previously used to speed up construction and to meet the delivery date.

The arch is gorgeous and full of detail, and it is situated in between it the Colosseum along with Palatine Hill. Palatine Hill, just a few feet far from where the exit of Colosseum is. an awesome bonus for people who visit the amphitheater.

8. Also, you can check out the Ludus Magnus

When it comes to bonus points… Similar to how people are unaware of the base of the Colossus when they visit the Colosseum and the Colosseum, they’re also unaware of Ludus Magnus. Ludus Magnus on the opposite side. I’m sure that nobody should be.

The Ludus Magnus, also known as the Great Gladiatorial Training Academy was the biggest training facility of gladiators during Ancient Rome!

Unfortunately, only a tiny portion of it is visible. Most of it’s hidden beneath the ground. However, that doesn’t mean it’s any less awesome.

Ludus Magnus is located in the city of Laterano. Ludus Magnus is located few meters to the north of the Colosseum in the area between the via Labicana along with Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano. My preferred method of viewing it is to do so with a drink with me. There are a number of cozy bars on via di S. Giovanni in Laterano where you can get an excellent Italian beer and enjoy it near The gladiatorial college.

9. It also has a museum

As you enter the Colosseum the first floor is all about looking at the amphitheater. On the second floor there’s plenty more to look at.

There’s a small museum within that is that is dedicated to Eros which is one of the Greek God of Love. It houses several artifacts which were discovered during the excavations of the Colosseum and also remnants of the church’s activities within the.

The museum also has images and models which show how the monument was used during various times. What’s the best part? You don’t require tickets to go!

10. You can get three attractions for the price of just one.

Have you ever experienced the thrill of walking into a shop and buying two things that you love at the cost of one? Imagine a mix of three things. There is nothing… even more three items. Consider that the three things represent the three largest places in Ancient Rome!

Oh, yes! I was so happy when I received ticket tickets to visit the Colosseum and discovered that it also provided an access pass to Palatine Hill as well as the Roman Forum for two consecutive days.

The Colosseum is already a pretty excellent reasons to be an integral part of your itinerary. having the opportunity to see two other locations for the same cost makes it more interesting.

With these 10 reasons to go to the Roman Colosseum What is it that you’re waiting on? !