What makes this ancient Roman site as incredibly revered as it is, are the vast perspectives exploring the various Colosseum levels can give you.
The amphitheater teeters at a staggering height; its elliptical shape encompasses some of the most spectacular events of the ancient empire.
Each level of the Colosseum has its own history, traditions and peculiarities.
The exciting news is that now more than the first two levels of the Colosseum can be accessed- through tours one can now witness the Colosseum from its third tier!
Read ahead to learn more about how to get to this usually restricted third level.
Levels of the Colosseum
How many levels does the Colosseum have?
The Colosseum is built to include about four-five tiers:
- The ground level tier was called the Podium, and was reserved for the most elite members of Roman society, starting with the Emperor of the time but also including the senators.
- The second level was reserved for other members of the upper class that held significant power, such as knights and the equites.
- The third level of the Colosseum called the Belvedere was marked for all other Roman citizens to spectate the shows.
- The fourth and fifth tiers were referred to as the attic. Those seats were made for other audiences such as women and foreigners.
Although all the levels of the Colosseum provide a unique experience, this article focuses on what the third level i.e. the Belvedere offers you.
Access to the third level of the Colosseum
We emphasize that standard tickets to the Colosseum bought on their official site do not provide access to the Colosseum third level.
Only a handful of entries are admitted through the use of guided tour operators such as Walks Inside Rome.
Why is this so?
- A lot of restoration work has been put into this marvelous structure over the years. Starting with restoring the arena floor and the underground, more recent efforts have been put into the higher levels. One of the best ways to continue to preserve them is to control the flow of visitors by not making these floors available through widely sold standard tickets.
- Safety concerns arise due to the fragility of these levels. Having an experience guide navigate you across the floor is the best way to keep safe from missteps or loose stones.
- Having a guide by your side for a special entrance level deepens your appreciation for the full breadth of the Colosseum.
Colosseum Third Level tour
What can you expect from gaining access to the third level of the Colosseum?
- The Belvedere provides unparalleled views of both the interior of the Colosseum as well as its surrounding landmarks such as Palatine hill, the Roman Forum, the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Venus and Roma and more. Gaze at the Eternal City from one of the most spectacular (and less often thought of) viewpoints.
- The Colosseum third level transforms into the best ‘classroom’ from where to examine the architecture of the monument. With a higher perspective you can clearly see various details such as the arches, columns and cascading terraces that helped support this marvelous arena.
- Sometimes the third level hosts exhibits on the Colosseum. Your tour guide will also sprinkle in lesser known facts about the Colosseum into your visit, which run-of-the-mill audiobooks or guidebooks cannot provide you with.
Conclusion
Ironically, the higher you venture up the Colosseum, the more your understanding and appreciation of the structure deepens.
Visit the third level of the Colosseum in order to revel in fantastic views and architectural perspectives. From this unique perspective, feel just how ‘colossal’ the Colosseum really is.
Contact Walks Inside Rome at [email protected] to learn more about how we can customize your Colosseum tour for you.
Please bear in mine however, that entrance tickets and tours to different levels of the Colosseum such as the third are limited in number. The sooner you book a tour, the better!
