Colosseum

Even with the numerous historically significant and architecturally amazing structures one will find in Rome, The Colosseum, or Colosseo, if you're Italian, is still heralded as the city's greatest architectural legacy. This elliptical bowl, was known as the Amphitheatrum Flavium, was built in A.D. 72, and inaugurated by Titus in A.D. 80 amidst a bloody war between gladiators and wild beasts.

During its heyday, the Colosseum could hold up to 50,000 people. Spectators would cheer and watch as strange battles between exotic animals and humans would take place. The Colosseum would be filled to the rafters during mock naval battles that would eventually end in blood. It was also believed that the Colosseum was the site of one enduring legend: that Christians were fed to the lions. However, according to historians this legend has no factual basis.

Many years after the sadistic battles between beasts and humans, an earthquake struck, and the Colosseum fell. Its ruins, which were rich marble, were used to build palaces and churches. What remained of this massive enclave are its four tiers, its first three levels that were created using Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles. The seats can no longer be found, and the wooden floor that used to bear witness to the bloody battles is no more.

Today, elevators have been installed so that visitors can get to the second level without having to face the gigantic steps that are about 10 inches high. Tourists are allowed to explore the structure on their own, but they also have the option to rent an audio guide for about €4.