The Colosseum

Rome, Italy
May 2026

Our tour began along the upper corridors of the Colosseum. As we made our way through the ancient passageways, our guide traced the history of the structure from its construction in the first century through its centuries of transformation and survival.

He was an excellent guide. As we emerged from the corridors and the interior suddenly opened before us, he played music from Gladiator through our earpieces. It was a simple touch, but an effective one.

Photographs can convey the shape of the Colosseum, but they struggle to capture its scale. Standing above the arena floor, looking down into the exposed chambers beneath, I was struck by the enormity of the structure and the engineering required to build it nearly two thousand years ago.

The Colosseum is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, yet seeing it in person remains a powerful experience. For a few moments, accompanied by the music and the stories of our guide, it was easy to imagine the spectacle that once unfolded within these walls.