Ancient Rome Buildings: the Colosseum, Foro Romano, Palatine Hill

This is the heart of Ancient Rome, where the most magnificent buildings and monuments were erected over 2,000 years ago.  The sights, specially the Colosseum are some of Rome's main attractions, with the long lines and crowds to go with them...

The three sites, the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill are included in one ticket, the ticket is good for two consecutive days.  Best is to buy your ticket in advance so you don't have to stand in the long line, or if you don't have advanced tickets, consider purchasing it at either the Palatine Hill or the Foro Romano, as the lines in the Colosseum are always longest.  We had purchased the Roma Pass, which included entrance to two sites, so we used one of them  for this one, and it also allowed us to skip the line. 


When looking at these Ancient Rome buildings, you will find that some are in excellent shape and you can actually tell what they looked like before.  

Others, however, don't have more than a pile of rocks left, and there it is difficult to figure out what it was like before.   We found that the books like Frommer's Rome Past & Present which show the reconstructed buildings were a big help.  We got ours before our trip from Amazon, it was great to show the kids in advance what they would be looking at.  The book seems to be out of print though, and getting one is hit or miss, but similar books are available everywhere once you get to Rome, you won't have to look too far, they have them at all the sites in many different languages.  The small ones which are handy to carry around were EUR12 and the bigger ones around EUR25.  Defintiely recommend having one so you know what you're looking at.

Some sights like the Colosseum are in very good shape, so it is not too difficult to figure out what they looked like in all their glory:

Others, like in the various temples at the Roman Forum for example, there isn't much left and you really have to use your imagination on that one to figure what it was supposed to look like, that's when the Rome Past and Present books come in very handy, you see a picture of what it looks like now with an overlay of what it looked like before:

All three of these sites are next to one another.  We started our visit at

The Colosseum

Without a doubt one of Rome's landmarks, this was the venue used for entertaining the masses and where the gladiator encounters and other spectacles took place more than 2,000 years ago.
As you come in, you see a large cross, this is supposedly where the Emperors sat:

You can circle around and get a great view of the underground tunnels where the animals, i.e. lions, were held, they were hoisted up to the arena level with elevators and used to pop up anywhere on the arena floor where the unfortunate fighters awaited.

 

From the top levels of the Colosseum you have great views of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where we're headed next:

As you exit the Colosseum you pass the Arch of Constantine, which to many represents the birth of Rome as a Christian nation. The Arch celebrates Constantine's victory in the battle of the Milvian Bridge. Cosntantine later became Emperor and legalized Christianity.

 From here we headed to...

Palatine Hill

...just accross the street.  This is one of Rome's Seven Hills, and although it doesn't have the signifcance of the Colosseum or the Foro Romano, it was a nice stroll, plenty of trees for shade on a very hot day, and no crowds.

But here, it does help to have your little Rome Past and Present book so you know what you're looking at since most of what remains of the Imperial Palace is in ruins.  There are several courtyards, the remains of the "Stadium":

And what's left of the Circus Maximus.  Here you really have to use your imagination and picture those chariots racing a la Ben Hur in front of a sold out crowd.  There isn't much left of the track... but there are some great views of the Roman Forum, where we're headed next  from Palatine Hill:

Roman Forum

Our last one on our stop of Ancient Rome buildings and monuments, the Roman Forum was the main center of the city, this is where it all happened. The Arch of Titus is at the start of the Via Sacra or main street, which runs all the way to Capitol Hill.

And along the Via Sacra are the Forum's Main Square, the Basilica, the Senate building and all the temples dedicated to all the Gods.

We exited the Roman Forum by the Arch of Septimius Severus which leads to the steps to Capitoline Hill.

 Capitoline Hill, another of Rome's Seven Hills, was the home of Rome's political and religious center.  At the Campidoglio or the main square are the Capitoline Museums where the original She-wolf statue from Romulus and Remo is. 

From Capitoline Hill there is a shortcut to the terrace level of the Vittorio Emmanuel Monument, where there are vast views of the city. 

And your visit to Ancient Rome wouldn't be complete without a little stint with the wacky gladiators, just don't get ripped off, it should all be in good fun after all...

Related Posts

Things to Do in Rome

City Map of Rome Italy:  here we mark all the Rome Tourist Attractions covered in this trip, use this map to orient yourself and plan your activities.

Ancient Rome Buildings: Overview of the Colisseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.  What the buildings looked like in their glory, best way to tackle this sights with kids.

Vatican City: St. Peter's Square and Basilica.

The Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel: Overview of highlights and how to navigate through the maze with the children.

Seeing The Pope at Castel Gandolfo
Our hotel in Central Rome

Day Trips from Rome:   If you have the time, consider going to some other great places easily accessible from Rome: Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Florence, Naples, a wine tour through the Chianti region, etc. Here are some ideas and tours offered by Viator from Rome.
Other Fun Things to Do in Rome:  How about a Segway tour of the city?  Or a Photography tour with someone to show you around the best spots for that perfect shot?  Here are some fun tours arranged by Viator,  whether it's a Dinner Cruise on the Tiber or an audience with the Pope.