Colosseum Under the Moon Night Tour

Same Colosseum, new experience. There’s really nothing like exploring the ancient amphitheatre after dark. Made of travertine, tufo, and concrete, this colossal structure has been standing strong since 80 AD. The sheer mass of its size and depth of its history are nearly impossible to fathom but the best way to contemplate them is by standing within its walls. Nighttime offers a more tranquil experience, with exclusive access to multiple layers of the arena, from the stage to the underground dungeons, and no crowds to navigate.

Although millions of tourists make their way to the Colosseum each year, only select groups pass the metaphorical red tape and step onto the stage floor. The word arena comes from the Latin word “Harena” which means “sand”. This is because the wooden stage was always covered with a layer of dirt which set the scene for elaborate entertainment displays, such as gladiator duals and reenactments of exotic hunts and war battles. Little remains of the original floor, but if standing on the very ground where ancient gladiators and beasts fought to their deaths doesn’t move you, perhaps nothing will.

The Colosseum underground is commonly referred to as the hypogeum, from the Greek “hypo” meaning “under” and “gaia” meaning earth. Privileged access to the hypogeum allows visitors a chance to revel in the highly advanced technological ingenuity of ancient Rome. This vast underground network once covered 6 acres with 2 subterranean levels. Amongst the dungeons, cells, passageways, trap doors, and pulley systems, the animals, slaves, and gladiators alike would await their grand entrance to the arena floor.

They say “all roads lead to Rome” and in this case, it’s actually true. While Italian dictator Benito Mussolini inaugurated this broad street in the early 20th century, its edges are flanked by the 2,000 year old ruins of the Roman Forum and Imperial Forums. Running from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum, there are frequent excavations around the area as much of ancient Rome has yet to be discovered. Nonetheless, this is the road to follow if you’re looking to discover the very heart of Rome.

Resting between the Palatine and Capitoline hills are 40 acres of sprawling Roman ruins in what was once considered to be the most celebrated meeting place in the world: the Roman Forum. From the neighbouring hills, one can gaze across the treasured remains of the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of the Vestal Virgins and the Temple of Vespasian as well as the seemingly indestructible victory arches of Septimius Severus and Titus. Amongst these relics, Romans held triumphal processions, elections, criminal trials and public speeches. Needless to say, history runs deep within the Forum.

Capitoline Hill is the smallest of Rome’s hills, but it is undoubtedly one of the most important. In ancient times, it served as the geographical, political, and ceremonial centre with important buildings like the Temple of Jupiter and the "tabularium" (official records office) nestled securely on top. While the ancient ruins are almost completely covered by Medieval and Renaissance palaces, the political seat has not moved much in 2,000 years. Today, the mayor’s office sits on its peak, bordering Michelangelo’s impeccable Piazza del Campidoglio, not to mention the iconic equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

A more recent addition to the Roman landscape, this massive 1925 monument stands at a staggering 266 feet tall and boasts an enormous bronze sculpture of Victor Emanuel in its centre. Its white travertine façade and unique shape have earned it nicknames such as “The Wedding Cake” and “The Typewriter”. Located between Piazza Venezia and the Roman Forum, this layered structure not only offers a compelling climb amongst stairways, columns, and sculptures, but also a spectacular 360 degree view of the city.

Throughout the centuries, the bordering palazzi of this square have housed popes, cardinals, and even famous French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. In the early 20th century, Benito Mussolini famously stood on the balcony of Palazzo Venezia to deliver his rousing speeches, including the declaration of War on Britain in 1940, to the gathered masses below. In more recent history, in 2009 to be exact, archaeologists discovered Hadrian’s 2,000 year old Athenaeum (School of Literacy and Science) beneath the southeast edge of the piazza, which is still under excavation today.