Coloseum in Rome (Italy) - theatre
Where is located Coloseum?
Address of Coloseum is Via dei Fori Impariali, Rome, Italy
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When was built Coloseum?
Built date of Coloseum is Years 72 - 80 e.e.
Facts, informations and history of Coloseum
The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, is one of the most famous and iconic monuments of ancient Rome. This monumental building not only impresses with its size, but also with its rich history and complicated structure. In this article, we will take a closer look at this wonderful monument, discovering its history, architecture and fascinating facts and curiosities related to it.
History and construction of the Colosseum
The construction of the Colosseum was a true masterpiece of ancient world engineering. It was started in 70 AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and completed around 80 AD under his son, Titus. The Colosseum was built on the site of the former lake belonging to Nero's Golden House, a huge imperial residence.
The building has an oval shape, resulting from the combination of two Greek theaters. Thanks to this, every spectator had a perfect view of the arena, regardless of where they were. The Romans used movable scaffolding for construction, which allowed slaves to work simultaneously on different sections of the construction site. Another innovative solution was the concrete mortar used, which was invented by the Romans and which strengthened the entire structure, additionally stabilized with metal frames.
The arena had a wooden floor covered with sand, which had its practical uses. Under the sand there was a network of underground corridors, cages for wild animals, prisons for gladiators, as well as machine rooms and equipment needed for the technical operation of the stage. The height of the Colosseum was 55 meters, its width was 156 meters, its length was 188 meters, and the circumference of the entire building was an impressive 527 meters.
Architecture and dimensions of the Colosseum
The architecture of the Colosseum was a true masterpiece of its time. The three-story facade was 48.5 meters high, and each floor was in a different architectural style: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Each style had its own distinctive features and added elegance and a majestic look to the whole.
The Colosseum could accommodate 50,000 seated spectators and an additional 6,000 standing spectators. All seats were numbered, which facilitated organization and quick movement of the audience. There were 80 entrances to the amphitheater, so viewers could leave the building efficiently and safely if necessary.
One of the most interesting architectural elements were giant sails that protected viewers from the sun. This system, called "velarium", consisted of sails stretched on masts, which could be adjusted depending on needs, providing shade and comfort on hot days.
Shows and games in the Colosseum
The Colosseum was the site of countless shows and games that attracted crowds from all over Rome and the surrounding area. The most famous were gladiator fights, in which the combatants often fought deadly duels. However, other spectacles also took place in the arena, such as animal attacks, group fights, entire sea battles and public executions.
One of the most spectacular spectacles were naumachias, i.e. reconstructions of sea battles. The Colosseum arena could be flooded with water thanks to an advanced canal system, which allowed for the staging of real battles with the participation of ships.
During the inauguration of the Colosseum in 80 AD, the games lasted as many as 100 days. During these celebrations, about 5,000 wild animals were killed, which was to symbolize Rome's power and domination over the world.
Fascinating facts and curiosities about the Colosseum
The Colosseum hides many fascinating facts and curiosities that make it one of the most intriguing places in the world. Here are some of them:
Underground corridors. Underneath the arena there was a vast network of underground corridors, called hypogeum, where animals and gladiators were kept before fighting. These corridors were also equipped with lifting and lowering systems that allowed people and animals to suddenly appear in the arena.
Entry numbers. Each of the 80 entrances to the Colosseum was numbered, which allowed you to find your seat easily and quickly. It was an extremely modern solution, considering the huge number of viewers.
Canvas sails. The velarium system, consisting of stretched canvas sails, was operated by specially trained sailors from the Roman fleet. These sails could be adjusted as needed, providing shade and comfort for spectators.
Height of the facade. The three-story facade of the Colosseum rose to 48.5 meters, equivalent to the height of a modern 16-story building. Each floor was decorated with a column in the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian styles, which gave the building an elegant and monumental look.
Movable scaffolding. The Romans used movable scaffolding to build the Colosseum, which allowed slaves to work on different levels of the structure at the same time. It was an extremely innovative solution that accelerated the pace of construction.
Numbered seats. All seats in the Colosseum were numbered, which facilitated organization and the quick movement of the audience. Thanks to this, viewers could easily find their seats and avoid chaos.
The importance of the Colosseum today
Today, the Colosseum is one of the most important symbols of ancient Rome and one of the most recognizable monuments in the world. Despite the passage of centuries, this building still delights with its majesty and reminds us of the power of the ancient Roman Empire.
The Colosseum attracts millions of tourists from all over the world who come to Rome to admire this amazing structure and learn more about its history. It is also the site of numerous archaeological research, which continues to bring new discoveries about life in ancient Rome and the functioning of the amphitheater itself.
Summary
The Colosseum is not only an impressive building, but also an extraordinary testimony of human ingenuity and determination. Its design, architecture and history fascinate and inspire people around the world. It is a place that takes us back in time to ancient Rome, allowing us to understand and appreciate the achievements of our ancestors.
Regardless of whether you are interested in history, architecture, or just want to feel the magic of antiquity, the Colosseum in Rome is a place that you absolutely must see with your own eyes. Sometimes it is enough to stand in its arena to feel the spirit of ancient Rome and understand why it is considered one of the greatest architectural achievements in the world.
" When the Colosseum falls, Rome will fall. "
Architect of Coloseum
How many meters have Coloseum?
Height of Coloseum is 55 meters


Construction/building type
Building Coloseum is of type Amphitheater
Architectural style
Architectural style of Coloseum is Ancient Roman
The ancient Roman architectural style is mainly characterised by the use of brick and marble and the use of columns and triangular pediments. Roman architecture was known for its monumental buildings such as amphitheatres, thermopiles and temples. Roman architects were known for their ability to use natural light and ventilation in their buildings, which was particularly important in the warm climate of Italy. ... czytaj więcej.
Other dimensions, parameters and frequently asked questions
What area have Coloseum?
Coloseum have area of 6 acres
What material is the building made of?
Coloseum is made of the following materials: Stone, concrete, steel, wood
Cost
Build cost of Coloseum is Ok. 75 million marks
Other names
The building is also known by other common names or in the original language, i.e. Amfiteatr Flawiuszów, Theatrum Flavium
Is the building on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

The listing took place in the year 1980.
Details of the entry are available on the Unesco website at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/91ter/
Official website
The official website of the building, where up-to-date information can be found, is http://www.coopculture.it/en/the-colosseum.cfm
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