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Book Colosseum underground tours
- Your skip-the-line access allows you to bypass winding ticketing queues and head right into the wondrous Colosseum.
- Head to the Gladiator Arena, where you'll listen to tales about the ancient gladiators as you walk along the first and second tiers of the Colosseum with your tour guide.
- Visit the famous Colosseum Underground with this special access ticket and
- Head out to the Roman Forum, an old venue where public speeches, processions, and elections took place.
- Explore the ancient ruins and palaces as you discover the historic Palatine Hill.
Inclusions
Guided Tour
- 2.5 - 3 hours guided tour
- Languages: English/Italian/German/Spanish/French
- Skip-the-line access to the Colosseum's underground
- Access to Gladiator Arena, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
English Guided Tour of Underground Only
- Access to Roman Forum and Palatine Hill is not included
- 1.5-hour guided tour in English
- Skip-the-line access to the Colosseum's underground
- Special access to the Gladiator Arena
This ticket has the following options that you can choose from:
- Guided Tour in English/Italian/German/Spanish/French
- English Guided Tour of Underground Only
- Tip: Make sure to ask your guide about legends about the secret tunnels in the Colosseum Underground that used to connect to the outside world.
- Please make sure to carry a valid ID card as you won't be able to access this tour without it.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Top things to do in Rome
Colosseum Underground (Hypogeum) Quick Facts
- Location: Colosseum, Rome, Italy
- Date of Construction: The Hypogeum was constructed under Emperor Domitian's reign, around 81-96 AD, following the initial completion of the Colosseum in 80 AD.
- Purpose: Backstage for the Colosseum, where gladiators, slaves, and wild animals were housed before the fight.
- Reconstruction: Partially reconstructed during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Why Take A Colosseum Underground Tour?
- Incredible history: One of the prime reasons to delve into a Colosseum underground tour is its compelling history. Consider the Colosseum Underground as the crucial backstage, where intricate preparations for each monumental gladiator battle occurred.
- Different perspectives: Taking an underground tour offers a novel perspective on the Colosseum's history and architecture. The cramped space, coupled with the anticipation of the fight, makes visiting the underground a somber and evocative one.
- Experience the life of a gladiator: Apart from learning about the history and actual mechanics of how gladiator battles were organized back in the day, another reason to visit the Colosseum underground is to get a real sense of what it felt like to be a gladiator before a match to the death.
How to enhance your Colosseum underground tour experience?
Check your tickets
Tickets to view the underground are not guaranteed with a regular entry ticket to the Colosseum. Make sure you book tickets that grant special access to this segment of the Colosseum.
Explore the Arena floor
Start your Colosseum Underground tour in the Arena, also known as the stage. From here, you can appreciate the sheer scale of the amphitheater from a gladiator's perspective. You'll enter the Colosseum arena through the morbidly-named Gate of Death and absorb the dramatic atmosphere where gladiators once battled for survival.
Colosseum Arena Tours
The Hypogea
The next stop on the tour is the Hypogeum, commonly referred to as the Underground. This area served as the waiting area. Divided into two levels, the areas consisted of a network of tunnels and cages that led to the Arena. The Hypogea played the role of the backstage of the Colosseum, a bustling hub used for the preparation for performances and scene shifts, as well as the transport of props and the care of animals.
Tunnels And monumental entrances
The complex tunnel system included tunnels that the Emperor and Vestal Virgins could use for entry and exit, offering direct access to their imperial residence without having to mingle with other spectators. The tiles used in these particular passages boasted intricate decorations, distinguishing them from the rest. The subterranean structure also boasted two grand arches for gladiators to make their dramatic entrances into the arena.
Wooden elevators
Transporting animals, staging equipment, and even the gladiator to and from the Arena was accomplished using an array of wooden elevators, concealed beneath the amphitheater. These elevators, considered a significant architectural marvel, were equipped with a system of ramps and counterweights, showcasing the Romans' advanced engineering.
Frequently asked questions about Colosseum Underground tours
What is the Colosseum Underground?
The Colosseum Underground, or Hypogeum, is the complex network of tunnels and rooms beneath the arena floor where gladiators and animals were kept before fights. It provides a unique glimpse into the operations behind the grand spectacles of the Colosseum.
Where can I buy Colosseum Underground tickets?
Tickets for the Colosseum Underground can be purchased online or at the ticket office at the venue. However, due to high demand, online booking is highly recommended. This will also allow you the chance to select your preferred time slot much in advance.
Does a general Colosseum ticket include Underground access?
No, not all Colosseum tickets include access to the Underground. The Colosseum Underground requires a separate ticket, which includes a guided tour. This ticket typically also includes access to the rest of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Does Colosseum Underground tours also offer skip-the-line access?
Yes., your Colosseum Underground Tour includes skip-the-line access to the amphitheatre along with allowing you the chance to visit sections like the Underground and Arena.
Can you tour the Colosseum Underground on your own?
No, access to the Colosseum underground is only available through a guided tour. Only two levels of the Colosseum are open for the public to explore on their own.
Who designed the Colosseum Underground?
The Colosseum, including the Underground, was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty, but the hypogeum was added later by Emperor Domitian.
When was the Colosseum Underground built?
The Colosseum was built between 70-80 AD, but the Underground was added later, approximately ten years after the inauguration of the arena.
What's inside the Colosseum Underground?
The Colosseum Underground is a network of tunnels, rooms, and passageways, including holding cells for gladiators and animals, as well as machinery for lifting them to the arena floor.
What can I do at the Colosseum Underground?
Visitors to the Colosseum Underground can explore the labyrinthine tunnels, learn about the logistics of staging the grand gladiatorial games, and gain a deeper understanding of ancient Roman history and culture.
Is the Colosseum Underground wheelchair accessible?
Due to the ancient architecture and irregular terrain, the Colosseum Underground is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.
