Ancient Rome

The largest amphitheater ever built, completed in 80 AD under Emperor Titus. At full capacity it held 50,000 spectators watching gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and mock naval battles. A massive retractable canvas awning called the velarium shielded crowds from the sun. Beneath the arena floor, a network of tunnels and lifts moved animals and fighters up into the action. After the fall of Rome, it was stripped of its marble cladding — much of St. Peter's Basilica was built from Colosseum stone. The exterior you see today is the inner skeleton of what was once the most opulent building in the ancient world.

The Arch of Constantine is just 50 meters south — built in 315 AD, it's the largest surviving Roman triumphal arch.

The most central of Rome's seven hills and according to legend, the spot where Romulus founded the city in 753 BC. It became Rome's most exclusive address — Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian all built their palaces here (the word 'palace' itself derives from 'Palatine'). The Farnese Gardens on the hill's summit, created in the 16th century, were among the first botanical gardens in Europe. The ruins here are less restored than the Forum below, which makes them more atmospheric — you're walking through actual imperial living quarters, with fragments of frescoes and marble floors still visible.

The viewpoint overlooking the Circus Maximus from Palatine Hill is spectacular — you can trace the full 600-meter chariot racing track below.