How Old Is The Colosseum? Find This Answer And More!

If you want the answers to all of your Colosseum questions, check out our guide and be prepared to release your inner Gladiator on your next trip to Rome!

The Ancient Roman Colosseum History

The Colosseum functioned the same as the stadiums of today, to provide entertainment to the masses in Rome. It did this by providing a stage for the exotic animals captured in all corners of the Roman Empire, to build the support for the emperors amongst the Roman people, to showcase the latest Roman engineering and to stage reenactments of famous Roman battles.

There are two surprising facts that I learned while touring the amphitheater (meaning “theater in the round”). First, all the Colosseum’s major events were free to the public. The emperors themselves would pay for them. This public gift was a way to gain the favor of the people of Rome. This obvious bribe is still practiced today by politicians around the world.

The second thing I learned from our tour guide is that contrary to popular belief, Christians were never martyred in Il Colosseo. The guides try to make this abundantly clear, which isn’t to say a lot of people didn’t die there. They did! There were particularly brutal games in which 10,000 animals were killed in a single day.

How Old Is The Colosseum?

Construction of the Colosseum began in 72 AD and was financed by treasures taken from the Jewish Temple and the workforce consisted of 12,00 Jewish prisoners (i.e. slaves) after the Great Jewish Revolt in 70 AD.

How Was The Colosseum Built?

The slaves worked long hours under harsh conditions, using building materials like: wood, limestone, tuff, tiles, cement and mortar, including bringing the travertine building blocks from a quarry 20 miles away in Tivoli. The construction took 8 years and once completed, a 100-day long inaugural games were held at the new Flavian Amphitheater in 80 AD which were paid for by the Emperor.

Where Is The Colosseum Located?

Let’s start with where it IS NOT and that is Las Vegas. Apparently Caesars decided to build a performance space in Nevada and called it The Colosseum. I have a lot of opinions about Vegas, but they aren’t really relevant for this blog, so I’ll leave it at this: The Colosseum is in Rome, and the gondoliers at The Venetian in Vegas are also fake. Also, The REAL Colosseum does not have an Instagram account.

The Colosseum is certainly in Rome. In fact, it was built in the center of Rome, in the Celio district (rione) and is just east of the Roman Forum. One of my favorite experiences continues to be walking from Piazza Venezia down Via dei Fori Imperiali towards the Colosseum at any time, early morning when it is empty, at night when it is lit up, and even during the day. 

How Big Is The Roman Colosseum?

This massive elliptical structure is four stories high and approximately 620 x 513 feet. It has 80 entrances and exits, which is something to think about if you have ever been to a modern stadium and waited more than 30 minutes to exit because of the crowds. To compare the size to football or more appropriately baseball stadiums of today, the Colosseum could hold around 50K spectators and that is approximately the same size as Yankee Stadium, which can hold up to 54K fans. It is an impressive size, but American football still wins, with Cowboys Stadium holding up to 80k spectators.

What Is Inside The Ancient Colosseum Today?

Below the Colosseum floor there are the remains of numerous rooms and underground passages. There were trap doors and elevators used to launch the animals and gladiators onto the main floor. Pulley systems were also used to raise and lower scenery used for elaborate battle reenactments. There is even an elaborate drainage system that was used to flood the arena and reenact naval battles with specially trained swimming horses and bulls.

The stands were divided into sections according to social standing. The emperor carefully managed the separation of the different classes at all public spectacles. The Ima Cavea section was reserved for the emperor, politicians and vestal virgins, with their names having been written in their seats. The higher you go in the stadium, the poorer you were, with the top level available to the lowest class and the slaves.

The Restoration Of The Roman Colosseum

Because of the Colosseum’s 2,000 years of age and the effects of pollution, it has gone through regular and ongoing restorations. There was a major restoration program carried out in the 90’s costing almost $20m. Recent updates include a restoration of the external façade, which was completed in 2016, and in 2018 a new initiative was started with a focus on the underground passages, cages and rooms where prisoners, animals and gladiators were kept.

Were There Gladiators In The Colosseum?

Of course there were gladiators in the Colosseum, didn’t you see the movie? Also, there is a hostaria right across the street named Hostaria al Gladiatore and that couldn’t be right outside if it wasn’t authentic.

Seriously though, the gladiator contests were a major part of the entertainment in the Colosseum with a gladiator training site right outside. The gladiators’ barracks at the Ludus Magnus just across Piazza del Colosseo were connected to the arena by tunnels. The Ludus Magnus had its own miniature training arena, which was also a popular attraction for Romans.

Did They Flood The Colosseum?

Once you see the arena and underground of the Colosseum, it is difficult to imaging flooding the Colosseum, but that they did. The flooding was used to celebrate and recreate victorious naval battles for entertainment purposed.

Despite the inclusion in Gladiator II, the flooding of the Colosseum did not include bringing in sharks as well, but I guess it wasn’t meant as a documentary.

How Do You Get Tickets To The Colosseum?

Getting tickets to see the Colosseum in Rome has changed over the years, so it is good check in some of the sites listed below to better understand the costs and requirements.

What Is The Official Site Of The Colosseum In Rome?

You can wait in a very long line at the Colosseum, but I wouldn’t recommend it. There are an almost infinite number of tour groups that might be your speed, or you can go to the official website of Il Ministero della Cultura and decide what ticket is right for you. I would recommend a combination of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.

I also wrote a post about: “Is The Roma Pass Worth It?”, which I would recommend taking a look at before you make any decisions.

Is It Best To Buy Colosseum Tickets In Advance?

The Colosseum is the most iconic and popular site in Rome. Because of this, tickets sell out quickly and you might not get an opportunity to see the amazing Colosseum if you don’t purchase tickets in advance of your visit.

If you simply are unable to plan your trip with certainty and “need” to gamble, you can try to buy tickets when you arrive, but it is risky.

Where Is The Best Place To Get Tickets For The Colosseum?

For me the official site of the Colosseum is your best path. Here you can book tickets and see what other events might be going on at the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum.

Be careful not to be tricked into buying tickets from tour companies. You can if that is your intention, but they do everything to make the unsuspecting tourist believe they are the official site.

Do Colosseum Tickets Get Sold Out?

Yes, definitely! Of course, they sell out faster during the high season and a little slower during the off season. However, as a resident who lives pretty close to the Colosseum, I can tell you that it is popular all year long.

Are Colosseum Tickets Only Online?

No. Tickets can be purchased, if available, at two different ticket offices. Here is a map to the offices, one which is near the Colosseum and the other being closer to the Roman Forum.

Can You Just Turn Up To The Colosseum?

You can, but I wouldn’t. As mentioned, there are ticket offices where you can buy your tickets, but availability could be an issue. If it is a spur of the moment decision, you can give it a try, but odds are low except for the lowest of the low season, like late January or early February.

What Is The Official Site Of The Colosseum In Rome?

Visiting the official site of the Colosseum should be your fist step in planning a visit. Here you can book tickets and see what other events might be going on at the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum.

Visiting The Colosseum In Rome

What Are The Hours And Price For The Colosseum?

For the most up to date price to visit the ancient Roman Colosseum and take a tour, check out the details from another of our articles: Help With Buying Tickets For The Colosseum And More.

By the way, I was not totally correct above, the park does have an Instagram account!

Are Tours Of The Colosseum Worth It?

My opinion on guided tours has changed over the years. When I first visited the Colosseum I did a self-guided tour and to be honest, I didn’t get a lot out of it. Over the years I’ve visited the Colosseum on 4 separate occasions and I now believe there is a lot of value in guided tours. There are quite a few, so you will need to spend some time looking for the best one for you.

How Long Should You Spend At The Colosseum?

This is totally dependent on the tour you choose and, in my opinion, on the weather. Don’t underestimate the blazing heat of Rome in the summer and make sure you are well hydrated.

If you have tickets before you arrive, you should plan on a couple of hours. If you show up without tickets, good luck. The lines can be unbelievably long and again, this is a good opportunity to get over heated.

Is It Worth It To See The Arena At The Colosseum?

The Colosseum Arena and Underground are two amazing parts of the tours. They are very much worth the cost of admission.

Is It Better To Go To The Colosseum In The Morning Or Afternoon?

This depends on a couple of things. If you bought one of those 24-hour passes that includes Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, you will need to decide how want to split that up. Because it would be pretty tiring to try to fit it all in one day, some people visit the Colosseum in the afternoon on Day 1 and the other two sites the next morning.

If this is the only site you are concerned about, I would choose the morning and avoid possible afternoon heat and crowds.

What Day Of The Week Is Best To Visit The Colosseum In Rome?

Most people are limited to the days they will be in Rome, but for someone like me, who lives just down the street, I would recommend mid-week. Don’t underestimate the popularity of the Colosseum because it is always busy, but if you arrive early on a Wednesday, that would be your best chance for a smaller crowd.

Can You See The Colosseum Without Buying A Ticket?

Not from the inside, but the grounds around the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine are a beautiful place for a rest during your busy visit. If you are looking for a free ticket, those are available on the first Sunday of every month, but they sell out quickly.

Can You Access The Colosseum Arena Without A Tour?

Yes, you can visit the Colosseum without a tour, with some exceptions. If you mean a visit without one of those external tour groups, then buying tickets on the official site would be the beast option.

If you don’t want an “official” tour and would prefer to be self-guided, that too is an option in most cases. Some tickets, like the Night At The Colosseum are only guided, but the Full Experience tickets give you the opportunity to guide yourself.

More Information About The Colosseum To Help Plan Your Visit