The Colosseum and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

The most famous moument of Acient Rome is of course the Colosseum. It's original name is Flavian Amphitheatre.

It was started by the Emperor Vespasian and completed by his son Titus and was dedicated to Vespasian a year after his death by Titus, and celebrated with 100 days of games.

Did you know that the name Colosseum was given to this huge structure because it was built near where Nero had erected a huge statue (colossus) of himself???

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Other Contact: Here is where many of the Gladia

Santa Maria in Cosmedin is better know for its portico where the famous Bocca della Verita, or mouth of the truth is found.

The Bocca della Verita is an ancient drain cover in the shape of the mask of a fluvial divinity and according to legend "its mouth will close upon the hand of any liar who places it inside the opening".

The church was built on the ruins of temples devoted to Hercules and to Ceres. The original church was transformed by Pope Hadrian I in the 8th century and consigned to Greeks who had sought refuge from persecution in Constantinople. Even today the Byzantine mass is celebrated here on Sunday. “Cosmedin” is a Greek word for ornament.

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Directions: Piazza Bocca della Verita - Located inside the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin Pz. D. Bocca della Verita 18

This was the first circus used for chariot races. Lying in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills it is said to have been built by king Tarquinius Priscus.

The track was originally bordered by banks of wooden seats. According to what I have read about the Circus, in 10 B.C. Augustus brought from Heliopolis the obelisk of Rameses II (which today is found in the Piazza del Popolo) to occupy the centre of the circus. Later the obelisk of Thutmosis III was added (by wish of Pope Sixtus V, and it stands today in the Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano).

The circus was enlarged by Ceasar and Augustus added to it the pulvinar (royal enclosure or sacred area). Today there is very little preserved.

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The Roman Forum was long the seat of commerce, government, and religion. It drew all of Rome to its porticoes to discus the business of state and to check out the farmers and merchants hawking their ware.

At the far end of the Roman Forum you will find the Arch of Titus which celebrated the sac of Jerusalem by the emperor Titus. You will also see sacred objects, among them a menorah, being brought back to Rome as spoils of war.

Beyond and outside the Forum stands the largest and best preserved of all, the Arch of Constantine. Its reliefs are very well done and depict the emperor doing braves deeds.

NOTE: There has been a reintroduction entrance ticket for the Roman Forum. Maintenance costs have warranted the ticket fee (€9, or €11 if there's some kind of special show going on) which will also include the Colosseum and the Palatine.

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Arco di Tito commemorates the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred temple by Tittus in AD 70.

It is said that unitl Israel was founded in 1948 and the return of Palestine became possible, pious Jews refused to walk under this arch.

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Address: Foro Romano

A fantastic structure and the biggest and best preserved of the Roman Arches of triumph, the Arch of Constantine rises south of the Coliseum.

Erected by the Roman Senate after the victory of Constantine over Maxentius in the battle at the Milvian bridge to honor the 'freer and bearer of peace'.

Many of the decorations come from structures built in previous ages and for this reason many reliefs have nothing to do with Constantine. The friezes on the long and short sides belong to the era of Constantine and represent the events preceeding the battle at the Milvin Bridge til the Emperor's triumphal procession in Rome.

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A gift from the French this beautiful Piazza is called the Spanish Steps becaues it is at the steps of the Spanish Embassy in previous centuries.

The stairway of the Church of Trinita dei Monti was built in 1720. Inside is a museum dedicated to Keats and Sheely in the piazza. In all its splendor in the middle of the square is the Fontana della Barcaccia(Fountain of the Old Boat).

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Monument to Vittorio Emanuel II

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The best preserved and one of the most famous of the Roman monuments. This structure was constructed by Agrippa in 27 B.C. and rebuilt by Hadrian in A.D. 117-125 to honor important Roman divinities. It was then transformed into a Christian Church. It currently contains the tombs of the great painter Rafael and that of Vittorio Emanuele II.

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Address: Piazza de la Rotonda.

As you are wandering inside the Patheon make sure to check out the tomb of one of the most famous Renaissance painters of all time, Rafael.

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