Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

When we hear about Rome, the first thing that comes to mind is the Colosseum. This grand amphitheater, which could well claim a place among the wonders of the world, we are used to seeing half destroyed. Why is this unique monument of history and architecture so poorly preserved? And where did most of its stonework disappear?

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad
Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

The building we are accustomed to calling the Colosseum is actually called the Flavian Amphitheatre. It was built in the 1st century AD as a symbol of the power of Ancient Rome. The Colosseum is slightly oval in shape, measuring 156 by 188 metres, and is almost 50 metres high. This ancient “entertainment complex” could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators – an impressive number even by modern standards.

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad
Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

The Flavian Amphitheatre witnessed jubilant crowds, tragic deaths and the grandeur of Roman emperors. It hosted bloody performances that are hard for a modern person to even imagine. However, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum suffered 15 centuries of neglect, which significantly affected its condition. Today, the Colosseum is still impressive, but it does not look its best.

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad
Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

Some of the walls of the Colosseum are destroyed, and the remaining ones are covered with potholes and strange holes. The arena has long since disappeared, and now tourists can look at the basement structures of the amphitheater. Meanwhile, the Colosseum once had a removable roof, and its arena could be filled with water, turning into a reservoir. Interestingly, other buildings of the same time, for example, the Pantheon, have been preserved much better. What caused such a sad state of the largest arena of the ancient world?

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

First of all, it is worth noting that the travertine from which the Colosseum is built, although beautiful, is not particularly durable. This limestone material is sensitive to weather conditions and is particularly vulnerable to exhaust and fuel gases. It is more often used for interior decoration, where it is less susceptible to destruction. However, even a travertine structure could have survived better if not for the influence of human activity and natural disasters.

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

Nowadays, the Flavian Amphitheater is considered a valuable architectural and historical monument. There are known cases when tourists who tried to break off a piece of the Colosseum as a souvenir or leave an inscription on its walls were subject to significant fines. However, this was not always the case. For example, in the Middle Ages, this grandiose structure was treated completely differently - about the same way we treat an abandoned "Khrushchevka" today.

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

The decline of the Colosseum coincided with the decline of the Roman Empire. In the 4th and 5th centuries, barbarian invasions brought down the state, and the rulers of Rome had neither the time nor the resources to organize gladiatorial fights or large-scale theatrical performances. The amphitheater gradually fell into disrepair: it ceased to be used, and then was abandoned altogether, with no longer being monitored for its condition. In the 14th century, interest in the structure was briefly revived, and bullfights were even held in the Colosseum several times. But this passion was short-lived.

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the great amphitheater became little more than a convenient source of building materials for the Romans. Travertine blocks, extracted from the ancient walls, were used to build cathedrals, palaces, prisons, and even homes. The Colosseum was not the only one to suffer this fate. Amphitheaters and temples were dismantled for building materials all over Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

In the early Middle Ages, the Colosseum was used as a fortress during wars. However, in the 14th century, a powerful earthquake occurred that destroyed the lower part of the structure - the very one that today looks like ruins. Of course, the collapsed walls were immediately dragged to Roman construction sites.

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

Where did the holes come from that make the walls of the Colosseum look like cheese? It's simple - these are traces of fasteners that once strengthened the masonry of the amphitheater. These metal parts were located under the marble cladding, which was dismantled long ago for construction purposes. The fasteners were partly stolen, and partly they were destroyed by corrosion. This is how these "wounds" appeared in the walls of the Colosseum.

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

Archaeologists have studied the amphitheater's structures in detail and have found that there are two types of holes in the walls: round and rectangular. This indicates that the builders of Ancient Rome used different types of fasteners. At the same time, the amount of metal in the walls of the Colosseum turned out to be relatively small - only about three tons of iron. This material attracted the plunderers of the building primarily because of its value. The fasteners were mercilessly knocked out of the walls, leaving numerous holes.

Why Rome's Colosseum, the Eternal City's calling card, looks so bad

Despite the loss of its former splendor, the Colosseum still amazes with its beauty and attracts attention. The amphitheater is constantly undergoing conservation work to prevent further destruction of this outstanding architectural monument. Although the stone blocks have long been stolen, exhaust fumes and chemicals in the sediments continue to negatively affect the ancient walls. This is why the restoration of the Flavian Amphitheater remains an endless process.

Despite all the twists and turns of history, the Colosseum remains a powerful symbol of the Eternal City, which delights millions of tourists. Its walls, although wounded by time, continue to tell the amazing story of the greatness and fall of the Roman Empire. What measures do you think could help to better preserve this unique structure for future generations? Share your opinion in the comments!

     

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