Dirt Cheap Rome

The big man on the Roman campus, the grandeur of the Colosseum epitomizes the height of the empire. The 80,000 capacity stadium was completed in AD 80 with a bloody opening party during which thousands of wild animals where slaughtered. This would set the tone for the next several centuries of gladiator fights and spectacular sea battle re-enactments. The structure would later be used as a church and a fortress during mediaeval times, and later stripped of its marble and bronze. It suffered further damage during the earthquake of 1349, but still stands mostly intact, a sight to behold.

The nearby Roman Forum was the centre of the ancient empire and contains the skeletons of several temples, including one to Vesta and the virgins and Helen of Troy’s twin brothers Castor and Pollux. Look for ornate Corinthian columns and arches engraved with tales of war victories.  The Palatine hill that rises above the forum houses the remnants of some of the Republic’s most luxurious villas and the supposed village of Rome’s mythological founder, Romulus. The home built for Augustus’ wife Livia was surrounded by gardens, and the wall frescoes offer an idea of what it might have looked like in full bloom. Across the road from the Colosseum, the Imperial Fora archaeological area is home to the Arch of Constantine and Trajan’s markets, a 2nd century AD shopping mall with office space upstairs. The imposing Arch of Constantine depicts the victory of Rome’s first Christians emperor. You’ll spend a good part of the day exploring these ruins, and luckily they’re all included in the same ticket.

Why should I go?
This is the place to lose yourself in the daily life of ancient Rome, from sport and shopping to homes, offices, and temples…and you get it all for one €9 ticket.

Where
Piazza del Colosseo. Metro B ‘Colosseo’.
www.060608.it/en (Search separately.)

Visiting European cities on a tight budget? Check out our other dirt cheap guides!

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