We had a great visit to the Colosseum with access to the restricted underground and top areas and then to the Forum & Palatine Hill. Our tour guide specialised in archeological conservation and she just gave us so much history – it was just an amazing tour.
There were numbered gates to enter the Colosseum and people had to buy tickets. The area downstairs as you enter was filled with food stalls and ‘souvenirs’, much the same as when going to a stadium today.
places to burn incense around the arena to cover the smell
underground, looking out to the arena entrance
Up the top section looking back down.
Underground, a reconstructed elevator that was used to send gladiators and animals up – there were 80 of these around the arena.
The view from the top of the Palatine Hill
… time to run – have a plane to catch.. 14 hours till Sydney! will post the last days when I get home.