Centro Storico East
- Colosseum, Forum Romanum, St Peter in Chains, Domus Aurea, Parco Oppio
Colosseum (Colosseo), the most famous symbol of Rome, is situated in the East end of the city center, between Forum Romanum and a busy road, Via dei Fori Imperiali. Colosseum is the ruins of an ancient elliptical amphitheater. Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built and is considered a marvel of architecture and engineering. It was built by Emperor Vespasian in 72AD and completed under his successor Titus. The structure has been partially ruined since the fall of the Roman empire, because of earthquakes and other natural disasters. Colosseum, also called the Flavian Amphitheater is open to public, but the lines are long. In the ticket fee, entrance to Forum Romanum is included. Today it has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church. Part of Emperor Nero's palace stood on the site, but it burned down 8 years before Colosseum was completed. 70 000 visitors could behold the raw gladiator games, and the official opening lasted for 100 days and thousands of animals, and many people (most of them slaves and prizoners) were killed. Colosseum was partly financed by the gold from the plundering of the temple of Jerusalem.
Forum Romanum (Foro Romano in Italian, Roman Forum in English) is a rectangular plaza (forum) surrounded by ruins of what was the center of ancient Rome. Part of it is situated on the Palatine Hill. It consists of the ruins of several government buildings and Rome's most ancient shrines and temples. Via Sacra was the main road, leading from the nearby Colosseum to Capitoline Hill. The Roman Forum has been called the most important meeting place in the world, in all history. Business, trials, elections, gladiator games, religious activities and public speeches took place here. 4.5 million tourists visit the forum yearly.
Sights at the Roman Forum include the three arches (Titus, Septimus and Titus), Basilica di Massenzio. Umbilicus urbis Romae (the Navel of Rome), Regia, House of the Vestals, the Vestal Temple, Domus Tiberiana, Santa Francesca Romana (Santa Maria Nova), Basilica Aemilia, Basilica Julia, Curia Julia and the nearby Circus Maximus.
Via Sacra was part of the walk for victories, that passed through all the arches. The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine (Basilica di Massenzio) was the largest building in the Roman Forum. It was built in 312AD.
Arch of Titus, constructed 82AD, stands on Via Sacre at the gate to Forum Romanum, opposite Colosseum. It has been inspiration for many arches of triumph, the most famous one is the Arch of Triumph in Paris. It was built by his brother to commemorate emperor Titus victories.
Parco Oppio is a park on the hill Monte Esquilino above Colosseum. Here you find the ruins of Domus Aurea, Emperor Nero's portico villa from 64 AD, and the ancient baths that were built above it, Terme di Traiano (the Trajan Baths). The lake of the palace later became the site where Colosseum lies. Many tourist buses stop at the park, yet the park is today really badly maintained with wild grass and rundown structures.
San Pietro in Vincoli (St Peter in Chains) Church, a small roman catholic titular church built in 439 at Piazza S.Pietro in Vincoli on Monte Esquilino. The exterior is not so impressive, and part of a rundown university complex, but inside you find the chains that St Peter was chained with, as well as Michelangelo's statue of Moses, part of the tomb of Pope Julius II.

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