looking back at our visit to the colosseum
It’s been a very long time since we were in Rome. And when we are not travelling, we like to mentally and visually revisit places we have been. So this week, we pay a visit to the Colosseum. Italy was one of those places that we didn’t appreciate enough when we were there, so it is back on our list of countries to see all over again.
We remember lining up outside the Colosseum, then waiting to buy our tickets and then waiting some more for the guided tour to start. We felt like we were spectators entering a stadium to watch a football game….
Then the minute we lay our eyes on the inside of the Colosseum, we are transformed back thousands of years. We ignore what is really there, we cannot help but picture a stadium of roaring Romans. We can hear cheering and booing. We can see gladiators… well, we actually visualise Russell Crowe and his entourage from the movie *cringe that Hollywood has brainwashed us* 😉
Actually out of all of Rome’s iconic sites, the Colosseum is probably our favourite. How we would love to visit it again one day!
The Colosseum, as part of the Historic Centre of Rome,
was listed as a
UNESCO Heritage site in 1980.
To see the other UNESCO sites we have visited,
visit our unofficial bucket list
Have you been to the Colosseum? We’d love to hear your thoughts of it.
wise monkeys abroad 
May 22, 2015 at 11:06 pm
Those pictures are beautiful! I’m visiting Rome next week and I can’t wait to go to the colosseum!
May 23, 2015 at 9:25 pm
Fabulous 🙂 We would LOVE to go back to Italy again one day! Enjoy Rome!
February 7, 2015 at 11:53 am
I too like to “mentally and visually revisit”. It’s funny, I actually did this today! Your photos are amazing. I would love to visit one day. I would totally picture Russell Crowe too. 😉
February 9, 2015 at 8:41 am
Thanks Jessi! Looking back at photos really jogs the memory in a completely different way. But more so when it has been a long time between visits. We look back more fondly these days then when we did when we first returned… it’s like nostalgia makes our heart and mind soften and only remember the GOOD stuff 🙂
February 7, 2015 at 10:59 am
Wonderful pictures. I liked my two part review but I should’ve waited to steal some of your photos haha. Great stuff 🙂
February 9, 2015 at 8:44 am
Thank you so much! Hahahah – we are flattered that you want to “seal some of” our photos 🙂
February 6, 2015 at 1:58 pm
I loved Italy and ruins of Colosseum.. Great history and amazing place..
February 7, 2015 at 8:33 am
*sigh* Every time we think about it, we just want to go back! 🙂
February 5, 2015 at 7:45 pm
You know what? It doesn’t look a lot different to when we first saw it in 1971. But, your photos are a whole lot better than our Kodachrome 2 slides ever were. Great shouts, L&D. Oh, by the way, I don’t remember queuing for tickets bacjk then. 🙂
February 5, 2015 at 9:54 pm
Hahaahah – it was like the Royal Easter Show. Queues and crowds… but we choose to look past those and think of the bigger picture 🙂
Well, guess since 1971 to 2006, they didn’t do much restoration then 😉
February 5, 2015 at 6:46 pm
Beautiful shots! The colosseum is a great place to photograph and to reflect on its history. I was there just a few months back and it was our second time. Much better than the first, for sure. Do go back!
February 5, 2015 at 9:53 pm
Ahhhh – you have totally sold it to us. Better than the first time means we HAVE to go back now, there are just no excuses not to 😉
Thanks so much for your lovely comment!
February 5, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Looks like you had a gorgeous day for your visit to the Colosseum! I, too am dreaming of a European vacation these days. Winter. Ugh. Rome is definitely one of the cities I never tire of visiting. 😀
February 5, 2015 at 9:52 pm
It was so long ago – but we can remember the visit rather vividly and yes, the weather was beautifully warm *sigh* – Hope it isn’t still too cold for you & is slowly warming back up now 🙂
February 5, 2015 at 6:25 am
You got some really good pictures of it! I believe they recently renovated it, you know, did maintenance on it.
February 5, 2015 at 7:59 am
Thanks Mani – it would be good to see it again. We are way overdue to return 🙂
February 5, 2015 at 3:41 am
This is actually one of the few things I would like to see in Italy. Somehow the whole country does not really interest me except of some historical sites 🙂
February 5, 2015 at 8:04 am
Interestingly, Italy was one that we saw with a very different set of eyes way back then – like you, we were not really interested in it and didn’t care for it too much. But now, we look back and just wish we had a different attitude about it. We were a lot younger then and had too many expectations. We want a do-over in Italy 🙂
Anyway, hope you get to see it some day!!
February 5, 2015 at 3:21 am
I had many of the same feelings. Possibly what impressed me most was the section that would have been under the floor and the systems they used to bring up animals, etc. Your photos bring back memories. Thanks. –Curt
February 5, 2015 at 8:05 am
Yes!! We were thinking about that too yesterday! – it was so surreal to be inside the Colosseum. Glad we were able to revive some memories for you, Curt 🙂
February 5, 2015 at 2:13 am
Very well described 😀
And it is so true that when we have never entered the Colosseum we take for granted what it is inside! The first time I went there I was really impressed, because until then I only saw the outside. It is no doubt worth the visit!!
As you I also couldn’t help but remember the scenes of the Russel C. movie hahaha 😀
February 5, 2015 at 8:09 am
Allane – isn’t it crazy how Hollywood blockbusters do that to us? But, We justify it by saying that it helps us paint the image of what it once was 😉
We do really want to go back, in fact to visit Italy all over again!! *sigh*
February 5, 2015 at 8:21 pm
Yes it is crazy! And I guess it works with everyone… sometimes we need some made up story to make us see a place differently, and hollywood has this power!
Italy is always a good idea 😀
February 5, 2015 at 12:55 am
I have been there and it’s one of my favorite places!! I love how old it is yet how all the architectural concepts born there are still used today! For instance, how all the seating sections are numbered… who would’ve thought! I’m like you though, I can’t wait to go back and check it out some more… luckily I will be there March!
February 5, 2015 at 8:12 am
In March?? You are sooooo lucky!! We are green with envy right now 🙂 We will just have to visit through your eyes then when you share your experiences and photos from there.
We always find it so impressive how those few intelligent people could be such visionaries and really shape the world with their inventions and designs.
February 5, 2015 at 12:12 am
I haven’t been to the Colosseum yet, but want to badly. 🙂
Your pictures are gorgeous!
February 5, 2015 at 8:12 am
Thank you! And it really is worth a visit – when you go, let us know and we will go with 😉 We want to go back so badly!
February 4, 2015 at 11:57 pm
Love this post…hubby is a Roman….so I am always excited by anything from that city, especially the iconic Colosseum! Great pics!
February 5, 2015 at 8:13 am
Thanks Diana 🙂 With hubby being Roman, you must get the personalised insiders tour of everything in Rome. Lucky you!
February 4, 2015 at 10:51 pm
Awesome shots! Rome has been on my bucket list for so long, every year I say that this would be the year I’ll visit. 😀
February 5, 2015 at 8:14 am
Well, here is to hoping that 2015 is the year that gets you to Italy 🙂 We would love to see your take on it!
February 4, 2015 at 9:19 pm
Great pics! I’ve never been to Rome’s Colosseum but we went to one in Tunisia and that was really impressive. We could picture Russell Crowe there too so I can only imagine how much more impressive Rome’s one was to visit.
February 5, 2015 at 8:17 am
There is just something about amphitheatres that gives a bit of a “rush” – maybe we were once gladiators in our past lives – LOL! We remember feeling the same when we saw them in Turkey.
Well, Italy isn’t too far from you guys there in England… make an excuse to duck on over there one of the se days 😉
PS – how many sleeps now to Cuba???
February 4, 2015 at 8:06 pm
Fantastic photos! I hope we get to visit here one day. There’s nothing quite like walking in the footsteps of the past.
February 5, 2015 at 8:19 am
YES!! The feeling is so surreal when we get to walk “in the footsteps of the past”. We love history a lot but ancient history just tops the cake for us 🙂
February 4, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Great set of photos! I have been there before month ( viz. my last post), Rome is unique and agree with you – Colosseum is the most impressive part of the historic centre 🙂 Bye. Kamila
February 5, 2015 at 8:19 am
*sigh* Rome is very unique and we just dream of going back. We will have to visit your posts so that we can relive the memories 🙂 Thanks Kamila for sharing!
February 4, 2015 at 6:55 pm
Beautiful photos. I too love the Colosseum. It’s sense of history is awesome and its easy to imagine the crowds cheering the action in the arena. But such violence too!
February 4, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Very good point! We did forget the violent component, because of the sheer brilliance of the monument as well as trying to soak up the atmosphere … so thanks for mentioning it. We get swept up by the “romantic” ideas of history and can easily forget the realities. Thanks for reading 🙂