Colosseum Free Entry
How to visit Colosseum for free? How much does an entry ticket cost for adult and kids in 2023, can it be bought online? Interesting facts about the Colosseum and a brief history of the ancient arena.
The Colosseum in Rome is not just great, it is grandiose. One of the greatest buildings in the history of mankind, in most cases it is at the top of the list of the main attractions of Italy. And certainly the first thing a tourist should see in Rome.
Will it be possible to enter the Colosseum for free? And if so, how? About this and much more – in the practical material of Travel Stories.
Take into Account
For security reasons, no more than 3,000 people can be in the Colosseum at the same time. This often leads to delays at the entrance even when booking tickets in advance.
All visitors and their luggage are screened, handbags, backpacks and backpacks packages are inspected by the security service. Bulky bags are not allowed inside!
Colosseum Free Entry
The easiest and most obvious way is to wait for the first Sunday of the month. Come early and try to become happier than those who, together with you, will storm the ticket offices of the monument on this day. It is not possible to book a ticket in advance and online.
The second method is not suitable for everyone – there is free admission to Colosseum for visitors aged 0-17 years, regardless of citizenship.
The third way narrows the circle even more – European guides of tourist groups of up to 25 people (together with a guide) will be able to get a ticket to visit the ancient arena without paying a euro cent.
Also, holders of the Roma Pass card can get to Colosseum relatively free of charge. If the arena is the first in the list of visited attractions (for holders of a 48-hour card). Or one of the first two (the card is valid for 72 hours).
Reservation of visiting time is mandatory. And in the latter case, it will cost 2 €.
Operating Hours and Prices 2023
The museum complex is open daily, with the exception of 25.12 and 01.01. Opening hours depend on the time of year, up-to-date information is published on the official website: coopculture.it/en/poi/colosseum/.
Tickets to Colosseum cost now € 18 for adult visitors. When buying tickets online for a certain date and time, you will also have to pay a fee of € 2.
Children 0-17 years old are free and such a ticket can only be obtained at the ticket office. EU citizens aged 18-25 pay €2 for admission.
Useful Information
The Colosseum is located in a convenient location from a tourist point of view: right next to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. The nearest metro station is Colosseo.
Within walking distance from Colosseum are: Venice Square, the monument to King Victor Emmanuel II, Capitoline Hill, Michelangelo’s Staircase, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Araceli.
The Colosseum is considered a giant from birth – its name comes from the Latin “colossus”. And he managed to survive a lot of epochs – the amphitheater even saw the time when it was turned into a quarry.
At the same time, Colosseum has been preserved very well! Let it not be in its original form, but for its age it looks very decent.
Interesting Facts About Colosseum
The Flavius Amphitheater is a huge oval measuring 189 by 156 meters and 48 meters high.
240 giant arches surround the perimeter of the structure, and each level has columns of a different order.
On the first floor they are Doric, on the second – Ionic. On the third – openwork, Corinthian, with richly ornamented capitals.
The inner arena, separated from the spectator seats by a 5-meter-high wall, has a size of 87 by 56 meters.
The place for the construction of the structure was not chosen at random. After all, the most important of the hills of Rome, the Palatine, stands nearby. There was also a palace, the “Golden House” of Nero.
In ancient times, Colosseum, in the manner of modern stadiums, was closed during bad weather with a giant tent. Fasteners on the roof, as well as spacers around the entire building, were provided by the builders and have survived to this day!
The building was conceived as a kind of entertainment center, a place of leisure for Roman citizens. More than 50 thousand spectators could accommodate its vast galleries. Entrance inside, by the way, was free. But the seats were distributed according to the visitor’s status.
History
Colosseum was built during the imperial Flavian dynasty. They began the process under Vespasian in 70 AD, and finished it under Titus, just 10 years later. Until now, the structure is considered evidence of the construction genius of Roman architects. By the way, for the first time in history, concrete was used in the construction.
In the arena of Colosseum, not only gladiatorial duels and fights with predators were held, but also bloody naval battles. And the water to the artificial lake, arranged in the middle of the arena, was supplied through a specially built channel.
Those structures that can be seen today on the basement floor that has opened up over the centuries appeared later.
In the Middle Ages, when they stopped arranging brutal gladiatorial battles for the amusement of the public, the giant structure was used as a dormitory. Those who could not afford other, more comfortable housing huddled here.
Then the stones of the colossus began to be used for the construction of city palaces, churches, public buildings and even bridges. They were used, among other things, in the construction of the cathedral and St. Peter’s Square.
Until, finally, a special decree of Pope Benedict XIV put a limit to this in 1750. Who declared Colosseum a holy place on the grounds that many martyrs died in its arena for the “true faith”.
