Combo Tour: Vatican and Colosseum in One Day in Italy, Rome

Colosseum. Visiting the Colosseum is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  There is no better time to visit the Colosseum, as visitor numbers have been drastically reduced. This means that you are able to marvel at the awe-inspiring site without having large crowds around you. Learn about the history, features and tales behind the greatest entertainment venue of all times. The construction of the Colosseum, whose official name is Flavian Amphitheatre, was begun around 72 AD and completed in 80 AD. This means it took the ancient Romans around 8 years to complete this engineering masterpiece designed to entertain the citizens of Rome.  Find out about the political and social background of the Roman Empire before, during and after the construction of the Colosseum. Get to know its purpose and its role within the Roman society.

Palatine Hill. Just above the the Roman Forum there’s the Palatine Hill, where Rome was established in 753 BC, 21st of April. This is where the first nucleus of Rome took shape, and where the houses, villas and palaces of the kings, emperors and notable people were. The Palatine hill was chosen by Romulus as it was deemed to be the best of all the 7 hills of Rome thanks to its ideal and central position. The Romans, as other ancient civilizations, tended to choose the high grounds close to rivers for their early settlements. This gave a strategic advantage in case of military attack as well as against the frequent floods of the water streams. Walk on the hill where the history of Rome started from. Learn about the early history of the city, the foundation myth of Romulus and Remus, and how the former managed to become the first king of Rome. Explore the ruins of the once imposing structures of the imperial houses of the emperors of Rome!

Roman Forum. A stone's throw from the Colosseum, you can find the Roman Forum: the political, religious, judicial and financial center of Rome and all the Roman Empire. This is where a city that once was barely a regional power became the core of the mightiest empire of the ancient times. This is where the Romans shaped the politics, laws and administrative systems that shaped the world we live in today, and affect the way we think about ourselves and our society. As the first core of Rome grew larger on the close by Palatine hill, the Romans started to settle also in the lower areas. The area occupied by the Roman Forum was once only a marshy land, but already under the regal period was chosen as the social, political and religious center of the city. Here you can find some of the most important buildings of the ancient Rome: the house of the Senate, temples, basilicas and much more. Plunge yourself in the heart of the Roman Empire by visiting the Roman Forum!

Vatican Museums. The Vatican City: The smallest country in the world. Despite its tiny surface area, the Vatican hosts some of the most important monuments and artworks of all times.  St. Peter’s basilica is the most famous church of all Christianity, as well as one of the earliest ever built in history. Its origins in fact can be traced back to the Emperor Constantine, who commissioned the first two Basilicas of Christianity in Rome, St. John and St. Peter’s as early as in the 4th century. Find out much more with your tour at the Vatican. Learn about its history, the artists who worked at it and why it lies on this specific area of the city.

Sistine Chapel. After Vatican Galleries will reach the Sistine Chapel, where you will be amazed by its breathtaking fresco ceiling and by Michelangelo’s Last Judgement. Originally called the “Cappella Magna”, the “big chapel”, it takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who restored it in the 15th century. Since then, the chapel has served as a place of both religious and functionary papal activity and today it is the site of the Papal Conclave, the process by which a new pope is selected. Once again, entering before the general opening will allow you to take in the beautiful frescoes and take home with you wonderful memories.