The Coliseum (Colesseo)

November 19, 2007

This is the first major place that we visited. This is also my first picture of Rome. As with many places in Rome, the Coliseum is enormous. Pictures simply cannot convey the size, scope, and context of Rome. On this page, I will have only a few pictures from the Coliseum. The internet is flooded with pictures if you would like to see more.





We crossed the via to the opposite sidewalk. With the railing there, we turned left and proceeded down to the ground level.
The Arch of Constantine was right there in front of us.


The entrance to the Coliseum is not exactly well marked. We walked the entire way around the Coliseum and had no problem finding the exit. In this picture, you can see the exit area in the bottom left corner. If you look close enough, you see the turnstiles.



We asked there about the entrance, but the workers didn't speak English. Not to mention, it was difficult to hear them through the protective glass. That glass is on the left side wall, which you can't see in this picture. We ended up walking to an Information center a block away to find out about tickets and entering the Coliseum. In the picture below, you have to walk through the opening in the gate and continue until you find the ticket windows against the Coliseum wall. The ticket included entrance to Palatine Hill (Palatino) which is across the street, up Sacred Way, overlooking the Roman Forum (later in this story). So don't lose your ticket!

    



As with many other attractions in Rome, there is a security scan area you have to pass through after you purchase your ticket. Unlike airports, the ones that we went through are quite simple. If memory serves, at a few of them, I didn't even remove the Euro coins from my pocket.



This place is huge from the outside. But once you're inside, you feel so tiny. I've been on the field in national stadiums and arenas. Those are nothing compared to the Coliseum. This view is from the inner walkway when you are looking up.





Go to page 6 - Jonathan's Apartment in Trastevere.                       Go to page 8 - The Coliseum Continued.


Jump ahead 10 pages to Page 17 - Reaching the Vatican.