Colosseum Architecture
The Colosseum Architecture
Colosseum is an elliptical shape building with a short axis of 156m, and a long one of 188m. It stood 50 meters high, 190 meters long, and 156 meters wide. The structure of the Colosseum was built of several different materials: travertine blocks were used for load-bearing pillars, and external walls, stairs, and radial walls were constructed from blocks and bricks of tufa. Arches and vaults supported the structure solidly. According to some calculations, the Colosseum could accommodate between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. It had 80 entries and exits, 76 of which were used by ordinary citizens, while the remaining four were intended for the emperor, political and religious authorities, and the protagonists of the spectacles.
Colosseum Inside
As with stadiums today, everyone who entered the Colosseum had a ticket corresponding to the number above one of the entry gates. The ticket also indicated obligatory pathways led to the tiers of seats. The public seating (cavea) was divided based on a social class. The cavea was divided in 5 sectors which were seperated by corridors. The seats closest to arena were reserved for senators. Knights and other social categories occupied the upper stands, while the highest sector, also known as summa cavea, was intended for the plebs. The complex was designed not only to control the crowds, but to keep them comfortable. It had 110 drinking fountains and two restrooms large enough to accommodate a packed house. The Coliseum even had a retractable roof. On hot days an awning called a velarium was unfurled above the upper deck to shade spectators from the Sun. It was operated by sailors from the Roman Navy who were stationed around the top of the Colosseum’s arcade. The Arena floor was wood covered with sand. Bellow Arena was hypogeum, a extensive grid of tunnels and corridors as well as cellars which are still visible today in the middle of the construction. Cellars were used as chambers for the gladiators, slaves, weapons, equipment needed for the games and the cages for the animals. Construction contained lifts operated by pulleys and ropes which led directly to the arena through the trap doors. Read more about Colosseum history. If you want to buy the Colosseum tickets, we have the best deals here!
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Colosseum Arena Floor Tour
Enter the Colosseum on the ground floor and walk onto the Arena floor through the gladiator’s gate. Experience the excitement of standing there like a real gladiator. With priority access, you can access the second tier and learn about the life of ancient Romans and gladiator fights during this thrilling tour.
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Colosseum Guided Tour
Book this guided tour and discover the symbol of Rome – the magnificent Colosseum. Be awed by its grandeur as you wander through the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where emperors once roamed. Let a passionate guide bring ancient Rome alive, revealing the intriguing secrets of its iconic ruins!
Supporting Buildings
There was many other buildings around Colosseum which were linked to games. On the east side there was a famous training school for gladiators, called Ludus Magnus. The school was connected with Amphitheater with underground corridor to allow gladiators easy access. Several other schools were also placed in the same area: Ludus Matutinus – training school for fighters and animals, Gallic school and Dacian School. Some of the other supporting buildings nearby were the Spoliarium, a place where bodies of dead gladiators were disposed. Armamentarium used for weapons storing, the Summum Choragium, where machinery was stored an the Sanitarium, which was used to treat wounded gladiators.
Did you know that the infamous Emperor Julius Caesar never set foot inside the Arena
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Colosseum Underground Tour
Explore the hidden area of the Colosseum with this unique Underground Tour. Get access to sections that are unavailable with a standard ticket. Walk through the corridors where gladiators used to enter the underground area. Down there, you'll discover chambers, cages for wild animals, traps, and weapon storage.
Combo Tour
Colosseum & Vatican Tour
Explore the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel with an expert guide. They will tell you all about the history of the arena and masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” on the Sistine ceiling. Included is skip-the-line access so you can spend more time viewing ancient Roman architecture and the world’s masterpieces.