3. The Colosseum Was Built With Hidden Trapdoors and Elevators
The Colosseum was more high-tech than you'd think. This is one of the cool facts about the Colosseum. The arena had an underground area called the hypogeum. It included trapdoors for surprise entrances, elevators to raise animals or props, and tunnels for gladiators and staff to move around unseen.
Since the Romans loved thrills, this setup allowed surprising the audience with the unexpected. A lion would pop out of the floor, or a chariot would race across the sand. The setup makes the Colosseum unique because it was way ahead of its time. Another interesting fact about the Colosseum is that it has 80 entrances!
Want to learn more? Try the Palatine Hill Audio Tour right next to the Colosseum for more hidden Roman secrets.
4. Earthquakes Have Damaged It
Most photos show one side of the Colosseum missing. That's because several heavy earthquakes have caused part of the Colosseum to collapse. The earthquakes that occurred in 443 AD and 1394 AD damaged it the most. People also removed large stones to build other buildings in the city.
Yet, what remains of the Colosseum is still very impressive. Over time, it has become a symbol of strength, survival, and human achievement. The structure is continuously being preserved for future generations. Learning these facts about the Colosseum helps people appreciate the time and effort it takes to maintain such an old treasure.
Dive deeper into the complete history of the Colosseum and see how it evolved over 2,000 years.
5. It Is One of the New 7 Wonders of the World
The Colosseum was officially named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Over 100 million people voted. It's totally worthy of the title because of its massive size, brilliant design, and incredibly rich history. It's not just a Roman ruin. It's an iconic landmark. Millions of tourists every year visit the place, walk through the arches, explore its tunnels, and learn more facts about the Colosseum through guided tours, signs, and exhibits.
A Colosseum tour guide can help you get around, show you the best views and historical spots, and lesser-known areas most tourists don't know about.