Colosseum Tours
 

Two questions for those of you who have visited the Colosseum in Rome:
-Fodor makes mention of a "reservation fee". Does one need or want a reservation to see the Colosseum? How/where/when should I obtain this?
-My husband is fascinated by the shows we have seen on the history channel re the underground workings of the Colosseum. Is there a special tour one can obtain that provides a more in depth view of the Colosseum and its workings?
Thanks for your help.

No reservation is needed and I haven't heard of any available? But you can skip the long line by buying a ticket to the Palatine Hill which is also valid for the Colosseum on that same day.
I'm a bit of a Roman history buff and have been to Rome 6x since '96, most recently last March. I haven't heard of any subterranean or special tours of the Colosseum. This would have been something I would have jumped-on in a heartbeat:).
I've taken the Colosseum's audioguide tour, their (45min) walking tour and a Scala Reale walking tour. The audioguide and tour is just general tourist info, Scala Reale is very good though, it's a 4hr tour but it also covers the Palatine and the Forum.
It's a very strange place, many think of the Colosseum and gladiators. But the professional gladiator fights were probably the most civilized and humane thing that went on there for the crowd's amusement:(. Regards, Walter

I would HIGHLY reccommend any of the tours from Scala Reale. If you could get him, I would request Darius Arya, who is an excellent guide who had a Ph.d. in Ancient Roman Archaeology.

Walter - A question:

What do you think of the ramp and flooring they put on the Colosseum arena level??? We visited in 1994 and 2002. I can see why they put the floor in: handicap access, moving crowds through, etc., but I think it detracts from the overall view and first impression.

Just want your thoughts????

MichelleY

Hi Michelle: I think it's great! It allows one view the Colosseum from a completely new angle, center stage so to speak:).
It was put up as a temporary stage in the summer of '00 for the 2-week showing of 3 Greek plays and they just decided to leave it in place.
It allows you to view close-up the subterranean areas (elevators, passageways, etc) that were beneath the original floor and until recently (closed off-restoration?) it also allowed you to walk thru the "Gate of Death".
I agree though, it does take away from the beauty of this ancient monument. But to actually be in the center of the Arena! It puts me back in time and helps me to visualize the barbaric history that went on _right_ where I am standing.
This is what we are talking about for those who haven't seen the modern floor and ramp http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/~mac/trip...stage.jpg.html Regards, Walter

Walter, thank you. I've seen references to Scala Reale in other threads. Sounds like we should use them as we are also big history buffs.

I have to agree with Walter. The limited flooring/platform allows the visitor to step at the eye level that most fights ocurred and it does add tremendously to the visit. Besides, the flooring/platform is very well placed. I recommend a guided visit; there is so much history associated with this site that is not evident. A (good) tour will provide a background to make sense of a lot of features that still remain. Besides, the lines are quite long (and we were there in November!). I have not attended a Scala Reale tour, but they are so consistently highly recommended that I bet they would be worth the extra $$ to your husband.

Walter, you might find this interesting; I mentioned to a friend of mine that it was highly unlikely that Christians were martired in the Colosseum. She looked at me as if I had four heads and told me I was wrong. Who is right and why?

Marira: You're right:). I know there is no historical evidence to back it up plus I believe it was a 17thC Pope that made the Colosseum a holy site for the supposed Christian Martyrs killed there.
Also it wasn't built at the time of Nero's Christian persecutions, he used his private gardens and the Circus' for that.
As to why the later emperors didn't use the Colosseum, I don't really know? Perhaps they were considered traitors rather than condemned criminals who would be killed during the midday lunch break at the Colosseum. The Circus Maximus could seat alot more people (25% or more of Rome's population) and it would get the anti-Christian message across to a wider audience:).
Also they could repent and be set free, so it's not likely you could get them fight or kill others in the arena.
There were on and off Christian persecutions but I have read that perhaps these numbers were exaggerated by early Christian writers. Regards, Walter

Paradise--- yes, I believe you got it. The practice of Christianity ws considered high treason to the State and hence, punished by death in front of a bigger audience; the neaby Circus Maximus.

The Colosseum is a fascinating place. I was watching a documentary on "Horros of Hussein" and the show-like atmosphere of some of his executions reminded me of the Cesars and what they considered entertainment.