Colosseum ( Rome, Italy )

The site of many a bloody gladiatorial fight, the Colosseum, which was finished in 80 A.D., could then hold about 50,000 spectators. With a circumference of 573 yards and sitting on marshland, experts say the Colosseum is an engineering wonder … not to mention an animal- and human-rights atrocity.

"Legend has it that as long as the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand; and when Rome falls, so will the world," says Fodor's. "This prophecy didn't deter Renaissance princes from using the Colosseum as a quarry or the Nazis from riddling it with bullets. In the 19th century, poets came to view the arena by moonlight; today, mellow golden spotlights make the arena a spectacular sight."

Today, the massive complex is a favorite site amongst travelers. That said, you'll find lengthy lines almost anytime you visit. To beat the queues, you can purchase a ticket at the Roman Forum, which allows you admittance to both and a line jump at the Colosseum. You can also purchase the Romapass or an advance ticket from sites like Pierreci. The Colosseum is open daily, from morning until about an hour before sunset, and you can find it off the Colosseo metro stop.

 

Source : http://travel.usnews.com/Rome_Italy/Things_To_Do/Colosseum_Colosseo_28757/