Rome will stand as long as the Colosseum stands. If the Colosseum falls, Rome will fall and if Rome perishes the world will end.

(St Bede, AD 672-735)

Make the most of your Roman Holidays — book our Private Tour of the Colosseum Underground. Not only will you skip all the lines, but you’ll have a professional, private guide by your side for 4 hours. The itinerary of this tour includes the famous “restricted areas” of the Colosseum, which most of the regular tours don’t offer to their customers. Thanks to our pre-purchased tickets, we’ll let you walk on the “Arena” stage and walk down the Underground chambers of the “Flavium amphitheater”, the real name of the Colosseum.

UNDERGROUNDS OF THE COLOSSEUM: THE BACKSTAGE OF THE FIGHTINGS

What’s inside the Undergrounds? It was the place where gladiators prepared for their thrilling games, and where animals of all sorts, like lions, wolves, and ostriches were locked in cages before they were lifted up into the arena to battle against gladiators or other animals. Your guide will show you what our archaeologists made to give us an idea of what was going on underneath the Colosseum. What they left us is a nearly exact replica of the several elevators and trap-door system that Romans used to lift animals from the Undergrounds up to the arena, to be presented to the cheering crowd of Romans who joined the events.

FEEL LIKE A REAL GLADIATOR ON THE COLOSSEUM ARENA

Next on our Private Tour of the Colosseum Underground is a walk onto the Arena — the stage where the whole show took place. In the Ancient Times the Colosseum stage was a huge wooden floor covered by sand, which helped absorbing the blood spilt during the fightings. The place where you’ll step onto during this tour is a half-cirle reconstructed by archaeologists just a few years ago. It is located on the point where the Gladiators made their final exit, after dying in battle! Accessing this restricted area will let you feel how gladiators perceived the huge building and it will be the perfect chance to take wonderful pictures of the Colosseum and the Undergrounds corridors from above.

ROMAN FORUM AND PALATINE HILL WITH YOUR PRIVATE GUIDE

Our Private Tour of the Colosseum Underground does not end here! Next on the itinerary is the huge archaeological area of the Roman Forum. Once you are out of the Colosseum, you and your guide will walk up the Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome. This area is the most ancient of the city and your guide will of course take the chance to talk about the legend of  Romulus and Remus, the twin founders of the Eternal City. The Palatine Hill has always been a favorite spot for Romans to live. Here the first settlers of Ancient Rome decided to build their first huts and some hundreds years later Roman Emperors and rich families had their residences here to enjoy the wonderful view over Rome and the Circus Maximus. Can you imagine what it would have been like to assist to chariot races held in the Circus Maximus from your private terrace?

The last portion of your Private Tour will be in the form of a nice walk along Via Sacra, the main street of Ancient Rome. “Forum” was the word that described the center of life of Ancient Cities. In the Roman Forum people conducted business, held deep conversations on politics and philosophy and met lawyers to seek justice. Your guide will show you the Temple of the Vestal Virgins and the ruins of the Roman Senate. They will point at the altar where Caesar was cremated and at the triumphal Arches scattered throughout the area: the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Arch of Titus, and the Arch of Constantine. Many questions will arise during the explanation, but don’t worry – when you have a private guide you can ask everything you want and be sure to leave Rome knowing its Ancient history by heart!

Private Tour of the Colosseum Underground

Skip the line tickets are included in your purchase with Roma Experience!

The Colosseum and Roman Forum are ancient sites and some areas are not wheelchair friendly because of steep stairs and uneven ground. But with our Private Tour of the Colosseum Underground our guide can adapt the itinerary and the pace to your needs! Please inform us if you need any special assistance and we’ll be happy to provide a tailor-made itinerary for you.

Meeting Time: 8:30am

Meeting Point: Central Location in Rome (Full details provided after booking)

* Itinerary might vary at times, depending on the Colosseum Administration.

** You might be asked to join other groups of visitors inside the Undergrounds and the Arena of the Colosseum. The Colosseum administration has the chance to allow only their own guides to talk inside the restricted areas, but your private guide will stay with you all the time.

*** Backpacks and large bags are not allowed inside the Colosseum!!  —  NB* There is no cloakroom service at the Colosseum.

****Please don’t forget to wear comfortable shoe. Bring a hat, sunscreen lotion, and water bottles that you will be able to refill in the fountains along the path.

***** Please notice that the Colosseum Administration, which depends on the Ministry of Cultural Assets and Activities has the faculty to close the Colosseum, or parts of it, with or without notice, for events, strikes, heavy rain, or any other reason. In which case, we might offer an alternative itinerary as it seems fit. 

Further Reading

Roma Experience Ultimate Guide To The Colosseum