The Colosseo, i Imperial Forums and the Palatino are the three main areas that comprise The Colosseum Archaeological Park that, with more than 7 million visitors a year, It is the site of the most visited in the world and the most visited in Italy: a unmissable tour to enter deeply into the great history of ancient Rome.
The Colosseum
Symbol identity of the Capital of Italy, l’Flavian amphitheater, the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire survived fires and earthquakes, It seems to emerge from the long history evoking antiquity with a force that silenced.
Who built the Colosseum?
The construction was begun by Vespasian in 72 d.C., continued with Tito, It was finished with Domiziano. An incredible architectural work completed in less than ten years: 100.000 cubic meters of travertine and 300 tons of iron for a building with a diameter of 188 meters for the high and ellipses 156 meters for the smaller ellipses, 4 superimposed planes for a height of about 50 meters, for a capacity of about 70.000 audience. It is easily understood that the grandeur of the structure etched in a decisive manner and definitive change in the relationship between power and people.
Because it built the Colosseum?
Entertainment offered for free. Theater at the beginning of the so-called naumachie, that is naval battles, the arena was later given to fights between gladiators and hunts of wild animals. The itinerary of the visit you can admire the underground theatrical system with elevators that were used to display animals and gladiators, where the remains of the original marble are also present. Arriving then up to the third level you can see the arena in all its entirety and realize the grandeur with which the power is declared.
With the abolition of the games the amphitheater underwent a progressive decline. Over the centuries it was used as a shelter for animals, homes or workshops, Travertine was used in the building of St. Peter's Basilica. It was rediscovered in the period romance with an interest in the ancient art which saw, in subsequent epochs, the systematic nature of the excavations and restorations, until our times when he returned to host exhibitions and modern performances, revealing itself as a friendly and lively place of cultural emancipation.
Imperial Forums
The Roman Forum, born in an area reclaimed from ancient marshy Tarquinius Superbus with the construction of cloaca Maxima, She turned quickly in the center of public life, administrative and sales ancient Rome. It was the place where they held rallies and military parades, where the various emperors wanted to create their "hole" personal.
I Imperial Forums arise because of the various interventions. The first was Caesar to intervene on the Roman Forum felt inadequate to carry out their functions, then there was Augustus, Nerva and construction Trajan's Forum. From this one it can easily understand what kind of heritage visitors can get in touch.
The monuments and the remains of buildings alternate seamlessly into a vortex that seems transported back through the centuries:
- L’Arch of Titus, He dedicated by the Senate to the emperor of Rome after the conquest of Jerusalem;
- the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, that seems inspired Bramante for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica;
- the Temple of Peace, which later became the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian ;
- the Lapis Niger, probable tomb of Romulus or at least the place where he was killed.
These are just a few of the endless testimonies of the archaeological, where the transformation in churches of many monuments allowed their survival.
The Palatine
One of the seven hills of Rome, the oldest part of the city where remains from the Iron Age have been found. According to legend here they were born and raised by a she-wolf Romulus and Remus, and it happened here founding of Rome by Romulus.
Home to important cults can be seen on Luperci, at the foot of the hill, the Temple of Cybele and the remains of Temple of Apollo Palatinus of Augustus, and l 'Elagabalium, building dedicated by 'Emperor Heliogabalus to divinity The sun Undefeated.
In the period of the Republic it became the residential district of the ruling class, elegant mansions were built of which you can admire a wonderful example in House of Griffins.
After the Emperor Augustus chose as dwelling Palatino, Other emperors followed his example and was the era of the Imperial Palaces; the palace of Tiberio, the Domus Transitional it is to House of Gold examples are the undoubted magnificence.
The magnitude of the complex to visit and the amount of things to see suggest preventive organization to not waste time queuing and perhaps taking advantage of a guide, to get into the most profound way in the ancient roots of Caput Mundi.
Share this Article:
