Tag Archives: Rome attractions

My Visit to the Colosseum

8 Feb

On a recent visit to Rome I decided that I would fulfil a lifetime ambition and visit the Colosseum. I am a huge fan of the modern day equivalent of gladiatorial fighting so I was intrigued to learn more about its origins. Also, I was keen to experience the structure of the Collosseum as it really does provide an intimate insight into ancient life which cannot be achieved through reading books and watching telly.

Colosseum Rome

Colosseum Rome

Upon walking up to the Colosseum a tingle rose up my spine. Despite the fact that when the venue was abandoned the structure was exposed to severe pillagery, it still stands in an unmistakable and awe inspiring state. The arches can easily be made out and the detail of the design is still on view over much of the structure. Immediately upon viewing the Collosseum my mind was filled with visions of the thousands upon thousands of people who would visit the venue to bond over the bloody battles between warriors.

For my visit, I decided that once I had taken time to walk around the exterior of the structure I would invest in a tour to fully appreciate the experience. The tour guide was fantastic and his enthusiasm and obvious passion for the building was contagious, and I have to say the level of knowledge possessed was particularly impressive. What really rounded off the experience for me was the parading of actors dressed in authentic Roman soldier wear. This, together with the pictures being pained in my mind by the stories of the guide, left me in a world of my own and, at least for a minute, I felt as if I was really at the heart of a true Roman experience.  

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The Appia Way and the Catacombs of Rome

7 Jun

In Rome, the Catacombs—or the communal burial places used by early Christians and martyrs —are located along the Via Appia Antica, or the legendary Appian Way. Started in 312 BC and extending all the way to Brindisi on the coast, the Via Appia Antica was groundbreaking because the first 90kms were built in almost a perfectly straight line. There are many ancient monuments along the Appia Way, but the most famous are the catacombs. The best time to visit them is on Sunday, when the Appia Way is closed to car traffic and many Romans come here to ride their bikes or simply stroll around.

Catacombs Rome

Catacombs Rome

Whilst many people think of catacombs as simply ‘mass graves’ the truth is that they are much more complex than that. The Roman catacombs are located over a labyrinth-like network of tunnels and passageways, chiselled out of the soft volcanic earth underneath the Appia Way.

Although popular culture has often told us that the catacombs were used as secret burial places for persecuted Christians, it is only half the story. During the time of persecution, martyrs were buried in them, and later on Christians chose to be buried here for several reasons; One was that they wanted to be buried next the early martyrs, and another was that they disliked the idea of cremation, (which was the norm in Rome at the time) and wanted to buried underground—as Christ was. Another, and wholly more romantic theory is that early Christians had a strong sense of community, and they wanted to be together during the ‘sleep of death’.

The most famous of the catacombs along the Appia Way is the Catacombs of San Callisto. Extending some 20kms, almost 500,00 people rest here, including Santa Cecilia.

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