On this Colosseum and Ancient Rome walking tour, you will step into the history of ancient Rome starting from the Colosseum with a private VIP entrance; therefore, you will not have to wait around in the long lines. The Colosseum is considered one of the most important attractions of world tourism, on July 7, 2007, in Lisbon, it was proclaimed a “New Wonder” of the world.
The Colosseum, named by the Romans as “Amphitheatrum Flavium”, was built by Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD and inaugurated by his son Titus in 80 AD. It was built in the area occupied by the huge palace of Nero’s Domus Aurea, after the great fire of Rome in 64 AD. The last recorded history of shows inside the greatest arena of all dates back to 523 AD.
In the sixth century, the Colosseum was used as a burial ground and later as a dwelling. During the Jubilee of 1675, in memory of the many Christian martyrs, the Colosseum assumed the character of a sacred place. In 1744 Pope Benedict XIV consecrated him to the passion of Christ, and he built the 15 Stations of the Cross. Next to the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine, which was built on the ancient Via Triumphalis, a road used by the triumphant marches directly to the Capitol to celebrate the battle at the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD, when Emperor Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius.
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The tour will start with the visit of the Colosseum, stage of the fights between gladiators and one of the most important attractions of the world. With our private VIP entrance you will skip the long lines. We can then continue our tour through the streets and trails of the Roman Forum located between the seven hills of Rome, over the centuries there were built monuments, buildings for political activities, religious and commercial activities, following civil basilicas, where activities took place proceedings. From Roman Forum we will continue to the great Piazza del Campidoglio on the Capitoline Hill (Capitolium), since ancient times this has been the focal point of political and religious activities in Rome.
We can then continue our tour through the streets and trails of the Roman Forum located between the seven hills of Rome, over the centuries there were built monuments, buildings for political activities, religious and commercial activities, following civil basilicas, where activities took place proceedings. The various dynasties of emperors added prestigious monuments: the Temple of Vespasian and Titus and that of Antoninus Pius and Faustina, the Arch of Septimius Severus, to celebrate the victories of the emperor over the Parthians. The Emperor Maxentius to the early fourth century AD built the temple dedicated to the memory of his son Romulus. The last monument built in the Forum’s Column was erected in 608 AD in honour of the Byzantine Emperor Phocas.
From Roman Forum we will continue to the great Piazza del Campidoglio on the Capitoline Hill (Capitolium), since ancient times this has been the focal point of political and religious activities in Rome. The most famous episode which covers the Capitol is linked to the invasion of 18 July 390 BC when the Gauls reached and sacked Rome, with the exception of the Capitol, legend has it that the night attack of the Gauls was foiled thanks to the squawking of the Capitoline geese kept in the sacred precincts of the temple of Juno. The Piazza del Campidoglio is situated on the Capitoline Hill (Capitolium) is the first modern square in Rome thanks to the genius of Michelangelo, who in 1546 built the facade of the Senatorial Palace. Then he rebuilt the Palace of the Conservators and began the construction of a second building, the New Palace (now the site of the first public museum in the world which opened in 1734, the Capitoline Museums. The Senatorial Palace was completed after the death of Michelangelo, by Giacomo della Porta, and the New Palace by Carlo Rainaldi.
IMPORTANT: We suggest that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes for this tour. On summer time we advise to carry sunglasses, hat and drink plenty of water.
DURATION: 2 hours.
