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The Colosseum & Roman Forums' Secrets Self-Guided Tour

2.5 (3)
Rome, IT
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The Colosseum & Roman Forums' Secrets Self-Guided Tour

2.5 (3)
Rome, IT
Share
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Discover the mesmerizing Colosseum and Roman Forums as you wander around more than 2000 years of history on this immersive self-guided tour. Imagine where gladiators and exotic animals once fought, crowds cheered, and Emperors decided the fate of fighters! Narrated by local historians, this private tour allows you to explore the history of the Ancient Roman Empire and the Vestal Virgins. Walk through the Arch of Titus, visit the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, and wander around the temples of Romulus, Saturn, and Vesta. Experience beautiful architecture, secret stories, authentic street food, and the best photo stops as you transport yourselves in this engaging, quirky, and captivating adventure! With a total duration of 110 minutes, this tour offers a fascinating journey through the iconic sights of Rome's history. Book now and discover the secrets of the Colosseum and Roman Forums! Please note that this is a self-guided audio walking tour and does not include entrance tickets.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 1 hours 50 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Self Guided Experience & Audio Guided
  • Explore the mesmerizing Colosseum and Roman Forums
  • Discover over 2000 years of history
  • Immerse yourself in the captivating adventure
  • Experience authentic street food and iconic sights
  • Learn about the origins of Rome and ancient art
  • Offline Mode: Download tours in advance to listen without WiFi
  • Location Aware: GPS map allows you to enjoy sites, without getting lost
  • Access to your self-guided audio tour
  • Instagram Hotspots: We find the spot for your perfect picture
  • Audio tour provided by a local or historian
  • Headphones
  • Mobile Device
  • Entry ticket to the Colosseum

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

Arch of Titus

Begin the tour next to the Arch of Titus, an ancient relic covered in art that are thousands of years old. Learn about the origins of Rome with the story of Romulus and Remus, two brothers who had been suckled and raised by a she wolf, decided to build a city on the glorious hills by the river Tiber.

Admission Not Included

Basilica of Maxentius

Visit the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine. While Basilicas may have had religious elements to them, they weren’t temples and were actually mostly political and economic spaces.

Santi Cosma e Damiano

Stop by the Temple of Romulus. After Constantine converted the empire to Christianity around the 320’s AD, some old Roman buildings and temples became churches. This Temple of Romulus was dedicated to Cosmas and Damien.

Admission Not Included

Septimius Severus Arch

The Arch of Severus was built to honour Emperor Severus’ victory against the Parthians, now in the modern-day Middle East. Severus was the first Roman emperor who came from Africa and he may have also been Rome’s first black emperor. He certainly spoke multiple languages and took African troops with him on campaigns, as far north as Scotland.

Admission Not Included

Basilica Julia

Head to the Julia Basilica, a structure that started with Caesar in the 1st century BC but it was burned down and rebuilt multiple times. Hear the famous story of Julius Caesar’s assasination at the hands of Brutus.

Admission Not Included

Temple of Vesta

Visit the Temple of Vesta, composed of Greek elements of architecture, like the Corinthian columns and marble. Vesta was a patron goddess of health and a building in this spot would have been in the Forum from the early days of the republic. If her flame went out, it was believed that Vesta had revoked her protection and the city would become vulnerable.

Admission Not Included

Palatine Hill

Finish the tour overlooking Palatine Hill and take in the view of all the spots we have visited today with the modern city of Rome in all its glory sitting behind.

Admission Not Included

Colosseum

Start outside the Colosseum, next to the metro station, and take in the glory of this penominal structure! Get a closer look at the Colosseum’s architecture, the ground floor columns were done in the Tuscan style, a Roman variation on the austere Greek Doric style. Then the second floor featured slightly more elaborate Ionic columns and the third floor had a more intricate and decorated Corinthian style. Learn about the use of arches, concretes and columns. Learn about the ancient origins of the Colosseum. When the Colosseum did open, it was named the Flavian Amphitheatre. However, back then, people nicknamed Nero’s statue the Colossus due to its colossal size. Over time, that nickname eventually became attached to the Amphitheatre, and the Flavian Amphitheatre became known as The Colosseum!

Admission Not Included

Roman Forum

Head into the ancient structure and imagine the sound of fifty thousand people cheering with joy, shouting for blood and delighting in animals never seen in Rome before. The emperor took up a very visible and prominent position which was located on the podium at the centre of the arena on the north side. Get an amazing view of the Colosseum’s structure and hear about ancient art and graffiti. The Colosseum was covered in marble depicting hunting scenes, vegetation carvings and wild animals. At the top of the Colosseum, great pillars stood tall and one of them was even found to depict the head of the Gorgon Medusa.

Admission Not Included

Rome Colosseum Tours | Official Guided Tours

Enjoy a day at the games and hear what an event at the Colosseum would have been like. Learn how Gladiators would have been armed according to their categories which included Murmillo, Thraxes, Retiarius and. The emperor Commodus maybe even fought in the arena, styling himself after the Greek hero Hercules. Learn about the four staged ship battles, known as naumachia occurred in Ancient Rome, but only two were inside the Colosseum. Emperor Titus ordered the new Colosseum to be flooded and used special flat-bottomed ships during the battle to accommodate for the shallow water. The event replicated the battle between Athens and Syracuse and there was even an artificial island made in the middle of the arena, where the sailors landed and continued the fights.

Admission Not Included

Rome

Visit the Vestal balcony, where the Vestal Virgins would have watched the games from. These Priestesses had to serve until 40, after which they are released and their life begins. While serving, they performed a variety of religious tasks and rituals which included taking part in at least nine separate public ceremonies throughout the year. Finish the tour at a Christian Shrine and discover the legacy of Rome’s Colosseum. Today the Colosseum has actually become a symbol against capital punishment and a gesture of goodwill. Despite all the blood and death that occurred here back in Ancient Rome, it’s now a symbol of peace.

More about this experience

Introduction

Discover the mesmerizing Colosseum and Roman Forums as you wander around more than 2000 years of history on these immersive walking tours. Step back in time and imagine the grandeur of the Roman Empire, where gladiators and exotic animals once fought, and Emperors decided the fate of fighters. These private tours, narrated by local historians, provide a perfect walk for any historical trip to Rome.

What to expect?

On this self-guided audio walking tour, expect to delve deep into the history and architecture of Rome's iconic landmarks. Explore the Colosseum, the majestic amphitheater that once hosted thrilling gladiator battles. Walk through the Arch of Titus, visit the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, and wander around the temples of Romulus, Saturn, and Vesta. Allow yourself to be captivated by the beautiful architecture, secret stories, authentic street food, and the best photo stops along the way. This tour provides an engaging, quirky, and captivating adventure through ancient Rome.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone with a curiosity for the ancient Roman Empire. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this experience is designed to transport you back in time and immerse you in the rich history and culture of Rome. So grab your friends, family, or travel companions and embark on this fascinating journey together.

Why book this?

Book this self-guided tour to gain a unique perspective on the Colosseum and Roman Forums. Immerse yourself in the stories of ancient Rome narrated by local historians, providing you with insights and knowledge that can't be found in guidebooks. Experience the thrill of walking in the footsteps of gladiators, exploring hidden corners, and enjoying authentic street food along the way. This tour allows you to explore at your own pace and discover Rome's rich history in a truly immersive and engaging manner.

Good to know

Please note that this is a self-guided audio walking tour and does not include entrance tickets. The total duration of the tour is approximately 110 minutes, providing ample time to explore each site. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat and sunscreen, as you will be exposed to the sun during the tour. Enjoy the convenience of having important details, usage tips, and fascinating facts at your fingertips as you navigate through the Colosseum and Roman Forums.

Reviews

Travelers who have embarked on this tour have praised its immersive and informative nature. They laud the expertise of the local historians, the captivating stories, and the opportunity to explore at their own pace. Many highlight how this tour brings history to life, providing a deeper understanding and appreciation of Rome's ancient past. Overall, customers have expressed high levels of satisfaction with the performance and experience provided by this self-guided walking tour.
2024-03-29 12:02