Quote: The Colosseum - something that everyone goes to Rome to see! And hence hefty queues to get in to look around! We skipped them by buying our ticket elsewhere: the Colosseum ticket is combined with entrance to the Imperial Forum and Palatine, slightly less popular places to see and therefore a better place to pay the admission. Once you've bought a ticket at any one of these venues, you can swipe yourself in to the Colosseum without needing to queue. We paid the under-25s rate of 14 euros each and it was well worth it: the place is magnificent!
It's amazing to think how the ancient world was able to hoist the stones in place to make such an imposing edifice. We were lucky enough to join a tour that had just started - it may be worth while asking for times when you're about to get a ticket - and it gave us more of an insight into what we were going to see. It also made us stop and think a bit: the guide pointed out that we were standing somewhere where thousands of people had died for 'entertainment.' A sobering thought. It's funny how a building that appears on all the postcards is one which such an unsavoury past.
We walked to the Colosseum, but many of the bus tours stop alongside it and there's a metro line at one end that connects to the B line. If you're unwilling to walk, it's cheapest to go this way!
And it's worth coming back to see it once more at night! While you might not want to look inside it at this time, the building's illuminated beautifully as darkness falls. Perfect for taking postcard-worthy pics!
From journals Rome - THE Cultural Capital

Quote: Il Colosseo
----------------

Now this piece of architecture is amazing. It's incredible to think that the construction of this Flavian amphitheatre (as it was originally known) began in 70 and 72 AD and actually completed in 80 AD. It is an engineering wonder and today is standing proof of the cruelty and grandeur of the Roman civilisation. It is now in ruins through damage from earthquakes and stone robbers but still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome. We have to remember what actually took place in this amphitheatre - scenes of terror and immense cruelty. It was built to hold over 50,000 spectators who would go along to witness gladiatorial contests, public sports and chariot races. Staged hunts of wild animals were set up showing executions of condemned criminals and many a mythological tale would be staged. The last recorded games to be held were as late as the 6th century.

Nowadays you can still get the feel of the immense size of the amphitheatre and it really is in my opinion one of Rome's greatest engineering feats. It is a huge tourist trap and outside are stalls selling Centurion helmets and uniforms. You can have your photograph taken with a guy dressed up as a Roman Centurion if you really wish to. All a bit tacky for my taste but some visitors enjoy these scenes.


From journals Six Days in Eternity

Quote: On the first day in Rome we headed to the Colosseum. This is an amazing architectural work and is a must see on my Rome list. We took a guided tour which I would recommend to learn more about the construction and history.

I wish we would of got to walk around the Roman Forum but that is on my list for the next trip to Rome.
From journals Roman Holiday

Quote: The Colosseum is one of Rome's most famous landmarks. It is centuries old (like most things in Rome) and a huge man-made feat. Originally it could hold 50,000 people to watch gladiator contests and other public events. Over the years it has been damaged by earthquakes and people(stone was taken for other projects, at least some of them government sanctioned).

It is a large structure to see, but there are very few signs inside explaining what you are looking at. As always, I recommend some sort of guide - either a book or a tour. We tried booking the audio tour for just one person (reasonably priced) and the one listened and repeated to our group. It wasn't very practical and if money is not an issue - everyone should get their own.

The cost is 15.5 Euro, which also gets you entrance to the Forum. Opening times vary during different parts of the year, but generally it is open just in the daytime. I recommend going on a nice day as this is mostly outdoors.

A picture of the Colosseum is a must for every tourist. You can even pay to have your picture taken with a "gladiator". Many of them can be found roaming around in front of the Colosseum.
From journals An Awesome Week in Rome