One of the most recognisable sites of Rome is the Flavian Amphitheatre, or now as its known - the Colosseum. It is a feat of engineering and architecture especially as it was built in the first century. This arena is amazing enough on the exterior especially when lit up at night, yet take the opportunity to see the interior also.

Part of the distinctive architecture of the arena is the three levels of arches - each of a different style- Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian- which give a sense of the grandeur of the structure. Despite having been abandoned and stripped of many of its assets to be used in other buildings including much of its marble cladding, it still remains impressive - its size, design, and construction are breathtaking - to have stood the test of time is proof of the Romans ingenuity. The wooden floor of the arena has gone and the rooms that lay beneath, where animals were kept and gladiators waited, are now revealed, giving a glimpse into what was necessary to run this entertainment arena. It only takes a little imagination to see its former glory, with huge crowds cheering watching the many events that happened here including gladiator fights. Despite the association of Christians being thrown to the lions here, (including declarations by the Pope in mid-18th century and a large cross Colosseum) there is no evidence to support this theory, but Christians were killed at other sites in the city.

We missed the worst of the crowds by going in the late afternoon, and so we had space to wander unheeded and to consider the immense building this is. The sun was setting and the stone glowed a beautiful pink shade. The upper levels give a better view and tend to be less crowded, and there are also views out over the Arch of Constantine but take care with the very steep stone steps as they are lethal and slippy. It was worth taking time to sit and bathe in the awe of the building in a quiet spot, and to recall this emblem of Rome in its pagan days with its gruesome past.

If you buy a ticket for the Colosseum it also includes entrance into Palatine Hill - since we got tickets in the evening they were valid until noon the following day, and cost about 12 euros. Queues for tickets can be very long (except the group ticket queue) as there is only one entrance now compared to the original 80. The arena opens at 9am but closing times vary depending on the time of year. Take care of your possessions in the area outside of the Colosseum as there are pickpockets about.