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BEST OF THE BEST: The World Heritage Site


By Anastasia Bychenko, 7D

  This landmark is called Colosseum. The original name of the Colosseum was The Flavian Amphitheater. Its current name comes from the name of the statue, which was located nearby. It is located in Rome, on the east bank of the river Tiber, on the east of the ancient Roman forum.

The Colosseum is famous for its strange form and its history. A long time ago it was a place for gladiator fights and people from over the world gathered there to see that incredible sight. Now it's a popular tourist destination. This landmark impresses with its size and form. The Colosseum is oval amphitheatre, 189 metres long, 156 metres wide and 57 metres high. This landmark is made of travertine marble, volcanic tuff and concrete. The Colisseum has 80 entrances, 4 storeys and 76 stairs. Stone benches are located around the arena as places for spectators. The Colisseum hasn't got a roof or dome, it is located in the open. The arena was lined with trapdoors, which could be opened from below so that the animals could make a dramatic entrance. When it was first built, the Colosseum was surrounded by an area paved with large travertine slabs with boundary stones set in the ground.

The design of the Colosseum was created to strike awe into anyone who saw this great building. It was a symbol of the power of Rome and its emperors. It was designed by unknown architect. It was ordered by Emperor Vespasian. The building process was started in around 70-72 centuries AD. The construction was interrupted by the death of Emperor Vespasian. Later the construction was continued by his son Titus and finished in 81 century AD.

It was built as an amphitheater (arena) for fights of wild animals. It was built as a gift from emperor to people. Later it was used as a church, fortress, storage. It was opened to public in 80 century AD and since that moment it works, but earlier it was an arena and now it's the landmark (museum). The Colosseum was badly damaged by the great earthquake in 1349, causing the outer south side to collapse. Much of the tumbled stone was reused to build palaces, churches, hospitals and other buildings elsewhere in Rome.

Over than 7 million people from over the world visit the Colosseum every year. So, there are some rules for tourists. The opening hours are from 9 am until sunset time daily exept 1st of May, 1st of January and 25th of October. The first Sunday of every months is a day of free entry to the Colosseum. A full ticket to hike in the Colosseum will cost at least 12 euros. This price also includes a visit to the Hill of Palatin and the Roman Forum. A preferential ticket will cost 7.5 euros, it is for citizens of the European Union aged 18 to 24 years. Tourists under the age of 18 can receive free tickets. Even within the Colosseum you will be basically under the open sky, so in the summer you shouldn't forget about the hat and sun scream and in rainy seasons - about the umbrella. In the Colosseum you can use the elevator, which however will lift you only to the middle of the structure.

I think that it's one the most interesting landmarks in the world. It shouldn’t definitely be missed by any tourists to Italy.