Europe Explored » 100 years https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Colosseum – amazing 2000 years old symbol of Rome | Italy https://europeexplored.com/2011/08/18/colosseum-amazing-2000-years-old-symbol-of-rome-italy/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/08/18/colosseum-amazing-2000-years-old-symbol-of-rome-italy/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:39:19 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4775 There are many buildings that people consider important and significant, but only some of them have become symbols. One of them is undoubtedly the Roman Colosseum. It is interesting that the building was originally named differently and the name of Colosseum is relatively new. But more about that you learn later in this article. Colosseum […]

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There are many buildings that people consider important and significant, but only some of them have become symbols. One of them is undoubtedly the Roman Colosseum. It is interesting that the building was originally named differently and the name of Colosseum is relatively new. But more about that you learn later in this article.

Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Colosseum / Photo by admin

Colosseum dates back to 1st century AD. Specifically, its construction began sometimes after the year 70 during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and was completed in the year 80. Its further modifications followed at the end of the 1st century during Domitian rule.

Colosseum is monumental even today, can you imagine how monumental it was in those ancient times? The building, designed mainly for gladiatorial contests and various public performances, was the largest building ever built in the Roman empire. Colosseum could houses about 50 thousand people (according to the recent estimation but up to 87 thousand people according to an old document), which is astronomic number even today. Its length is 189 meters, the width 156 meters and height 48 meters, and covers an area of ​​6 acres. Unfortunately the building has not been preserved in full, but was destroyed by numerous earthquakes and other impacts. The current outer wall of the Colosseum was originally inside the walls, the original exterior one was 545 meters long.

But now let me return back to the name of the building. At the beginning it was known as Amphitheatrum Flavium (according to the emperors names – Titus Flavius ​​Vespasian and Titus Flavius ​​Domitian). And this name survived for hundreds of years.

Colosseum was used for almost 500 years for its intended purpose, until the 6th century (so more than 100 years after the collapse of Roman Empire). In the Middle Ages it served to various other purposes.


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And how Colosseum came to its current name? Not far from it was a huge statue of the emperor Nero. Emperor’s followers variously rebuilt the statue into a god Helios, or they replaced his head with their own heads. Anyway, this statue was called “Colossus.” During the history, however, the statue disappeared and was eventually forgotten, now it just contains remnants of the base. But around the year 1000, for yet unknown reason, its name began to use for Amphitheatrum Flavium, whose original name was later forgotten as well.

However you call it, this is a remarkable work of ancient builders. It is estimated that its creation consumed more than 100,000 cubic meters of travertine and 300 tons of iron clamps (on Colosseum we can observe the decline of architectural skills – older civilizations were able to create even larger structures, but often held and still hold together without using ferrous fasteners). The amphitheater had a smart system of underground tunnels leading right under the arena (the hypogeum), which is now exposed and accessible to all the visitors. There were also other corridors leading in and out of the construction, or through other parts of Colosseum. It has even the elevators and hydraulically powered equipment. The amphitheater included also some other auxiliary buildings.

Colosseum is currently one of the most visited and most admired monuments not only in Rome but throughout Italy. Colosseum is certainly a symbol of the city but sometimes even a symbol of Italy.


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Rappenlochschlucht – Alploch Gorges in Austria – one of the largest gorges in Central Europe https://europeexplored.com/2011/01/14/rappenlochschlucht-alploch-gorges-in-austria-one-of-the-largest-gorges-in-central-europe/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/01/14/rappenlochschlucht-alploch-gorges-in-austria-one-of-the-largest-gorges-in-central-europe/#comments Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:04:52 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2310 Rappenlochschlucht – Alploch Gorges are one of the largest gorges in the Eastern Alps, and also in Central Europe. They are located in Austria, near the city of Dornbirn and close to the famous Museum of Rolls-Royce with the largest collection of Rolls-Royce cars in the world. Alploch Gorge, Austria by Bernhard Maeser Both gorges […]

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Rappenlochschlucht – Alploch Gorges are one of the largest gorges in the Eastern Alps, and also in Central Europe. They are located in Austria, near the city of Dornbirn and close to the famous Museum of Rolls-Royce with the largest collection of Rolls-Royce cars in the world.

Alploch Gorge, Austria
Alploch Gorge, Austria by Bernhard Maeser

Both gorges Rappenlochschlucht – Alploch, which are about 1 km from each other, are divided with Staufensee lake with beautiful blue water. After appointment you can also see here 100 years old hydroelectric power plant.

Rappenlochschlucht – Alploch Gorges are a beautiful place suitable for hiking. On the rock walls there are romantic narrow wooden trails and the beauty of the canyon is doubled with amazing local waterfalls. The trail is also suitable for families with children. Rappenlochschlucht – Alploch Gorges are open from April to October. In the summer months (July and August) tourists have the opportunity to enter the gorges free of charge every Thursday.

Rappenlochschlucht, Austria
Rappenlochschlucht, Austria by Bernhard Mäser

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