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This tour is based on the most interesting archaeological area of Europe and includes sites really next to each other and all accessible with the same ticket: the Roman Forum, the Imperial Forums, the Colosseum and the Palatine hill. This tour of ancient Rome traces the history of the glorious past of the Eternal City from the beginning to the end. During this fascinating journey through time you’ll visit the symbols of the Eternal City and its former grandeur: the Flavian Amphitheater or Colosseum, then one of the legendary seven hills of Rome – the Palatine Hill, as well as the main square of the ancient city — the Roman Forum, and other well-known worldwide buildings and monuments built by Roman Emperors.
The Colosseum is without a doubt the most impressive building in Rome. It had 80 entrances/exits and could hold up to 70 000 spectators – even more than some modern stadiums. The Colosseum was to be the greatest theatre in the world, an ambition it achieved more than successfully. Inside one can still appreciate the power of the Roman Empire. You will see the Arena of Death, which played host to innumerable, deadly games, including gladiatorial fights and exhibitions of exotic animals brought over from Africa. While the bloodbath unfolded on the sands below, the audience amused themselves in the stands, laughing, gossiping and enjoying the deadly show.
Said to be the cradle of Rome, the Palatine is the site of some very ancient remains. Just possibly somewhere on it someone may yet find the Lupercal: the cave where Romulus was raised by his four-footed adoptive mother. As Rome developed and the Forum was embellished, gradually the Palatine became the fashionable residential district with elites such as Cicero, Augustus, and Marc Antony building their homes upon its slopes close to the seat of power. The area then gave way to the imperial palaces of the likes of Augustus, Domitian and Septimius Severus.
The Roman forum is the true heart of ancient Rome. The very first public area where all preeminent buildings stood both related to ancient cults and public life. It was the place of triumphal processions, key elections, criminal trials, gladiator matches, prostitution and the center of commercial business--an ancient Wall Street with a Rome Stock Exchange.
Still standing are the ruins of Basilicas, where the trials were held, as well as Temples, where priests performed the sacred rituals, worshiping roman gods: Vesta, Saturn and even Julius Caesar, who became a god after death.
Our tour ends on top of Capitol Hill the most sacred area of the ancient city transformed by Michelangelo in a perfect example of Renaissance square. Before leaving this area we’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of all of the Roman forum and Palatine hill from the back side of Rome’s city hall.
