What is Colosseum Underground and Arena Floor Tour

Rome’s most iconic symbol and a must-see on every travel and ancient history enthusiast’s bucket list is the Colosseum. 

History of the Colosseum

 

Originally named the Flavian Amphitheater(the nick-name Colosseum comes much later) was built on the whim of Emperor Vespasian between 70-80 AD. The Amphitheater was built as an ode to the Flavian dynasty and a gift to the Roman citizens after the infamous and cruel Emperor Nero killed himself, with a workforce consisting of tens of thousands of slaves. Titus, Vespasian’s son, gave the Colosseum its first 100 days of free entertainment, which included wild animals, executions, and gladiator fights.

 

Colosseum Arena Underground

 

In a symbolic gesture, Vespasian returned to the Roman people the land that had once been Nero’s “Golden House.” In addition to returning the land to the citizens, the nearby giant bronze statue of Nero was transformed into a sun god. The ‘colossal’ dimensions of the statue are believed to be the inspiration for the nickname Colosseum.

 

This historic sports facility could easily accommodate a modern-day football pitch. The Colosseum Arena floor witnessed nearly 4 centuries of blood-sport and 42 Roman Emperors. Gladiatorial competitions and public spectacles such as animal hunts, simulated sea battles, re-enactments of popular battles, executions, and tragedies were held in the Colosseum. 

 

The Colosseum was a sight to behold. It was remarkable in Roman times since it stood alone, although most amphitheaters were sunk into hillsides to aid in the structure’s support. 

 

The Colosseum’s front was three stories high, with open arcades at each entrance housing statues. Each level was built with distinct types of columns: Doric columns on the bottom floor, Ionic columns in the middle, and Corinthian columns on the top. The Colosseum was entered through 80 archways. The people utilized the majority of them, thanks to an ingenious ticketing system, while the Emperor used two of them and the Gladiators used the other two: The Gate of Life and the Gate of Death.

 

Animals were transported from all corners of the Roman Empire to be shown and slain at the theatre, demonstrating the extent and scope of the Roman provinces. Hyenas, hippos, lions, tigers, rhinos, antelopes, crocodiles, ostriches, bears, and zebras were among the wild and exotic species on display. However, the activities at the Colosseum were extremely severe; roughly 7.500-10.000 animals were murdered in a single day during specific games staged by the emperors.

 

The Colosseum underground was where the beasts and the Gladiators awaited to face their destiny on the arena floor above.

 

With the passage of time and changing preferences, the Colosseum fell out of favor, and the carnage and enormous gatherings were no longer popular. As a result, the Colosseum fell into disuse and deterioration. Natural calamities such as lightning and earthquakes wreaked havoc on the building. 

 

Nearly two-thirds of the edifice has vanished, and its materials have been repurposed to build other churches and palaces throughout Rome including the St Peter’s Basilica. Despite its unfinished state, the Colosseum remains a testament to the Roman Empire’s richness and might, attracting millions of awe-struck tourists each year.

 

Visitor Highlights

 

  • Once inside, take a guided tour of the Colosseum Arena Floor. You’ll have to stand on a wooden recreation of the old arena floor to get the best 360-degree views of the Colosseum. Because this location was off-limits to the general public until recently, it is one of the ideal spots to take up the building’s charm. Your expert guide will tell you stories of the renowned blood sports that previously took place in the very area where you stand, surrounded by all of this magnificence.
  • Get a close look at the elevator and trap door mechanism. During a gladiator conflict, these trap doors allowed for the unexpected arrival of numerous species of animals to the delight of the spectators.
  • You’ll have exclusive access to the arena floor and the opportunity to stroll where gladiators and lions fought for the approval of thousands of spectators.
  • As you visit the Colosseum, make sure to book a Colosseum underground tour and descend beneath the surface where the Gladiators got ready for combat and anxiously awaited their fate. 
  • Get rare access to regions of the Colosseum that are generally undiscovered and restricted on this spectacular Colosseum underground tour.
  • Expert tour guides lead a small group of tourists and visitors with individual headsets, keeping you engaged and entertained through sordid tales, anecdotes of the past, and splendid views.
  • The Colosseum also offers night tours with VIP access to a select few. The Colosseum night visit may involve multimedia displays on the arena floor or the next great project that archaeologists have dreamed up at various times during the year. These are genuinely once-in-a-lifetime opportunities!

 

Your Experience

 

  • Imagine the clamor of the frenzied crowd as you enter through the Gladiator entrance and stand on the Colosseum’s Arena Floor. This Colosseum Arena floor tour allows you to walk in the footsteps of the gladiators with the help of a professional guide.
  • Experience a gladiator-eye-view of what it felt like nearly 2000 years ago to enter the combat-driven arena floor.
  • As you make your way beneath the Colosseum, the Colosseum underground tour allows you to take a step back in time and experience the Colosseum dungeons.
  • You’ll be able to stand where gladiators once stood as they awaited their fight and see where the wild beasts for the show were housed.
  • Get exclusive access to areas of the Colosseum generally unexplored or restricted.
  • A night tour is one of the greatest and most exclusive ways to enjoy a visit to Rome’s famous Colosseum, with stunning vistas, smaller crowds, and VIP access. When you visit the Colosseum at night, you have a completely different experience. With the starry night sky as a backdrop, the Colosseum appears even more intimidating.

 

Book your Colosseum Underground Tour tickets in advance to reserve your spot and to learn more about the interesting, entertaining and morbid parts of ancient Roman history. You will make lifelong memories at the Colosseum arena floor tour and arena floor tour on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Don’t miss out on the chance to see, learn, discover and experience where it all began!

 

Colosseum Arena Tour

 

Arena Tours & Tickets

 

  • Book Colosseum Arena tour tickets in advance for exclusive skip-the-line access.
  • You can also book Colosseum package tours that include the Colosseum Arena Floor, Underground, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
  • If you dislike crowds and want to avoid them, then the Colosseum offers exclusive night tours after sunset, although make sure to book your Colosseum tickets well in advance as the spots are very limited.
  • Ticket costs vary according to the tour packages you book and the companies providing the tours but general skip-the-line Colosseum tickets cost between 30-40 euros and can go up to 100 euros if it includes other historic landmarks in Rome.