7 Curiosities from the History of the Colosseum in Rome

If there is a monument that, because of how well known it is, it is not necessary to recommend it as a essential for a trip to RomeWithout a doubt this is the Roman Coliseum, the great amphitheater of the ancient Roman city.

El Coliseum, which was initially known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is currently one of the great sights and the most visited of Italy.

Declared Heritage awarded by the Unesco, Coliseum It has also been part of lists that highlight the Seven Wonders of the World.

When are you going to visit the Colosseum you will find yourself before a imposing monument which reflects the great importance it had in the ancient city of Rome.

And currently, together with the Forum and the Palatine, It continues to occupy a central place in the current Italian capital.

Curiosities from the history of the Colosseum in Rome

In order to plan your visit, you will surely find it interesting to know these 7 curiosities from the history of the Colosseum in Rome.

When was the Colosseum in Rome built?

El Coliseum It was built between the years 72 and 80 of our current era, to replace a former amphitheater which had been destroyed by Great Fire of Rome 64 year.

By then it became the largest amphitheater in the world Roman empire.

What are the dimensions and capacity of the Colosseum in Rome?

With almost 200 meters long and 156 meters wide, and a height of 48 meters, the Rome Coliseum I had capacity to house a gauging of up to 50.000 spectators.

It became known as the Colisseum because the building was built next to a large bronze statue of the Colossus of rhodes that at that time there was in that part of the city.

What shows were at the Colosseum in Rome

On Roman Coliseum were celebrated until the 6th century shows known as Games, even long after the disappearance of the Roman empire.

These shows were varied, since in the Colisseum you could see from the famous gladiatorial fights y executions with animals, even naval battles with sand covered with water.

Roman Colosseum, fortress and cemetery

Starting in the 6th century, the Roman Colosseum building It had various uses.

With various changes of your propertyBecause the Colisseum belonged to the Church, even to noble Roman families, this great monument came to be used as strength, and even how cemetery.

How the Colosseum in Rome was destroyed

During the Middle Ages, Rome Coliseum deteriorated, and was abandoned after being also destroyed by earthquakes.

In fact, a large earthquake that occurred in the middle of the 14th century caused the collapse of the external south façade.

Looting of the stones from the Colosseum in Rome

From then on, the Coliseum began to suffer a looting of their stoness, which were used to build churches, palaces and even buildings of the Vatican.

Finally, in 1749 the Pope Benedict XIV declared to Coliseum as a Holy place in memory of the martyrs executed there, which meant a first step towards the preservation of the monument.

Rome Colosseum in World War II

Already in the nineteenth century they took place settlement and renovation works of the Colosseum, and although during the Second World War suffered the effects of bombing, the monument began to be considered as a cultural asset of the city of Rome.

Nowadays, Rome Coliseum it has become the most visited monument in all of Italy.

Other interesting articles from Rome

• Guide to traveling to Rome
• 22 Essential things to see in Rome
• 10 essential visits for your first trip to Rome
• 16 curious and little-known places in Rome