Okay, time to attempt writing about the Coliseum. It’s daunting. I think it is impossible to forget one’s first glimpse of this amazing historical building. After learning about it in school (I loved ancient history – even contemplated getting into archeology at one point), seeing it in movies, and generally just absorbing information about it and building up an idea of what it would be like in my head – I can say that seeing it for the first time blew all of that out of the water. It is BEAUTIFUL. And looking at it, standing in it, sitting in it, touching its walls, I wanted to hear the voices and sounds of a time long gone – and in my head I did. The animals fighting, people cheering, gladiators fighting for life, the crowd screaming for them to either be killed or saved, and on and on and on. It’s fascinating to me. I could have sat on one of the broken pillars all day.

What follows are some images captured while there. I fear they do not do it justice, and I’m not sure any photo really could. There’s a certain energy that can only really be experienced on the spot. That said – enjoy.

The Coliseum starts coming into view as I walk down Via dei Fori Imperiali.

And I’m here. Crazy.

Even back then they numbered the entry gates.

A look at the paths and rooms that lived under the floor.

Getting around inside – your seat is this way madame…

From the cheap seats.

This place is stunning.

Right, put some people in the photo to help establish scale…

A glimpse of the trees outside through the arches.

A few of the carved embellishments remain.

Now this is a stadium concourse. Sure don’t build them like they used to.

See you again Coliseum.

Begrudgingly, it was time to go. As amazing as the Coliseum is, there’s still so much more to see and do. Grazie. So thankful to have experienced your magnificence. And that’s it…I’m out of superlatives…