Let's begin our slide show with the most spectacular building in Rome, the Collosseo (or Collosseum). Emperor Nero had died in 68 AD, and the new Emperor (Vespasian) wanted to make use of Neros grounds to benefit the whole roman population. So he started construction works on a new, gigantic Anfiteatro in 72 AD.

Eight years later, in 80 AD, the theater was inaugurated by Titus with games and shows that lasted 100 days and nights. During that time numerous gladiators and about 5,000 wild animals were slaughtered. Today, actors on the Piazza del Colosseo provide an impression of what it might have been like. Quite realistic - except for the photo cameras maybe. :-)

The Colosseum was the biggest theater of the Roman Empire, seating between 50,000 and 80,000 visitors.

With its height of about 50 meters (164 feet) it is still an impressive building.

Once you enter the interior, you will be greeted by a supersized cross as a reminder for the whole christianity (though Christians have never been haunted here).

The arena had a wooden floor, and today the City of Rome just provide a small gangway for the visitors. This allows you to see into the "function rooms" (for example, the cages) in the basement.

If you really want to dive into the history of the building, you will want to participate in a guided tour. This is available as audio guide where you get a tape player for you to listen to. Or you go for a more vivid real tour, like this group. By listening to the guides, you can better envision the whole scenery.

This is a view into the basement of the arena. All the walls are still in pretty good shape despite being roughly 2,000 years old!

Do you wonder why the building appears to be broken off on one side? Well, the last show was in 523, and in 1312 the theater was finally handed over to the people of Rome (by emperor Henry VII). From then on, it was used mainly as source for stones - to build new houses! This was stopped in the 18th century by Pope Benedict XIV.