Foto: The remains of the Colosseum in Rome (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Italy - The Flavian Amphitheater, better known as the Colosseum, was built in the 1st century AD in Rome and was the largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire. It was constructed by the so-called Flavian emperors. Construction began under Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD and was financed with the spoils from the sack of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The Colosseum was inaugurated by Titus in 80 AD, with games that lasted 100 days. The poet Martial dedicated a collection of 33 epigrams to the opening. Titus' successor, Domitian, added another level along with several underground corridors and rooms beneath the arena, which are still visible today. The cavea (seating area) could hold over 50,000 spectators, divided across four galleries. The emperor had a private box along one long side of the arena, with its own entrance. Opposite him sat the empress, Vestal Virgins, and magistrates. Senators had marble seats closest to the arena, while other men sat according to their social rank. Women of senators and knights sat on the fourth gallery. The arena itself, separated by a 4-meter-high wall, measured 76 by 44 meters and was covered in yellow sand. At each end of the long axis were entrances for performers.
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Florence
Italy - Florence is located in the photogenic region of Tuscany, in the heart of Italy. Known as the cradle of the Renaissance, the city is filled with architectural masterpieces and artworks from that era and earlier. The most famous example is Michelangelo’s ...
The Ancient City of Pompeii
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The Cinque Terre fishing villages
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The Leaning Tower of Pisa
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The Monastery of San Fruttuoso
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The old district of Naples
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The Rolli Palaces of Genoa
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The Vesuvius volcano
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Venice
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