If you read my previous two posts about Rome, you’ll know that Rome wasn’t really the city for me. Ironically I will be returning next summer for a family cruise, and will spend some time visiting the sights I didn’t get to see. One sight I hope I get to visit again is the Colosseum. Of all the things I saw in Rome, this was by far my favorite.
Sadly I only had two hours to split between the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, which meant I didn’t have nearly enough time to wander these two locations. These two locations alone made my trip to Rome worth it. The Colosseum is a large amphitheater that held between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators.
It was used for gladiatorial contests, public spectacles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on classical mythology. The Colosseum stopped this type of entertainment use in the early medieval era, and it was later used for housing, workshops, religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a christian shrine.
For fear of missing the last Hop on Hop off bus back to the Vatican City where I was staying, I quickly rushed through the Colosseum in 30 minutes. This was enough time to grasp the awe of this place, but not enough time to read the plaques and soak in the energy. I was hoping to see some stray cats, but no such luck.
I hope to not only see some cats when I return next summer, but I also hope to spend more time inside the Colosseum.
Right next to the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, an ancient city that is still partly intact. It served as a public area in which commercial, religious, economical, political, legal, and social activities occurred. This place is less busy than the Colosseum, but I found it to be much more fascinating.
I spent a little bit more time here than I did at the Colosseum, but again it wasn’t nearly enough.
After I made my way back to the Vatican City, I stopped by the store to grab supplies for dinner. I was hooked and obsessed with fresh gnocchi, fresh pasta, and fresh pesto. I literally ate the same meal every night I was in Rome. Two of the three nights, I made the meal myself.
This was a lovely way to spend our final day in Rome. Although we were sleeping in Rome for another two nights, the next day we took a day trip outside of Rome. I have slight PTSD about driving out of Rome, and then back INTO Rome, but I also think I am capable of absolutely anything now. Stay tuned for our day trip to Assisi, and how I managed to make it out of Rome alive.
Q: Who else wants to watch Gladiator now? I’ve actually never seen it!
Blissfulbritt 
17 thoughts on “Roma, Italia – Pt. 3”
Sheree
Spent many a happy hour in Rome! Lots to see, do and eat.
Brittany
One could easily spend a week there!
B
Aw, man! That sucks that you didn’t get enough time to really see everything. Sounds like just enough for a tease. But that’s great you get to go back later!
Brittany
Just enough for a tease indeed!
Rosie
Rome took me by surprise – I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. I really enjoyed visiting the Colosseum (I didn’t see any of the stray cats either!) and just meandering across the city in search of gelato 🙂 I gave the Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel a miss, so it was nice to see your photos in your last post.
Brittany
The museums had A LOT going on, but that overwhelms me more than anything. It was beautiful stuff, but photos would be fine for me ha. Maybe I’ll enjoy it a bit more next time I go! (Rome, not the Vatican.)
P
Bummer that you didn’t see the stray cats! Lol I’d be the person walking around the coliseum ignoring the plaques and trying to find kittens to play with haha
Brittany
Dude if I had more time I would have too!!! Next time most def. 😂😂
Pam
The incredible History that lives in the places
The fact that the buildings if only partially are still standing is astonishing
I am in awe….
Kudos for honing your driving skills abroad
You are a Brave Warrior👣👣👣
Brittany
I am constantly in awe of the buildings left standing too!
Amy
You know me… I LOVE old architecture, whether it’s castle ruins or something as iconic as the Colosseum. We studied the Colosseum and Roman Forum a bit in the landscape architecture class I took in college, and both sounded spectacular. I hope you get all the time you want to explore them next summer! (And I can’t wait to see more photos when you do! 😉 )
Amy
PS I freaking LOVE gnocchi too!!! We’ve made it from scratch before (such a labor of love!), but I bet it tasted even better in Rome!
Brittany
Ohhh my gosh, I want to make it from scratch. 🤤
Amy
Get a potato ricer if you do!! It makes a HUGE difference in the texture — and it makes the process go a lot faster too!
Brittany
I ate so much gnocchi last night, and I’ve turned into a ball of gnocchi! 😂😂
Brittany
What great study topics. I love the old architecture too, sososo much!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Pesto makes everything better.
Also, I love now tackling things in a foreign country immediately boosts confidence.