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Offered languages
- English
- English
Rome's gladiatorial games didn't begin at the Colosseum - they began in a cattle market, at a senator's funeral, with six fighters and no emperor in sight. This self-guided walking tour traces eight centuries of combat, power, and spectacle across the city that turned violence into a sophisticated entertainment system.
The route runs from the Colosseum along the Palatine Hill to the Circus Maximus, where chariot star Gaius Appuleius Diocles once earned a fortune in prize money. In the Forum Boarium, you'll stand where Rome's first recorded gladiatorial combat took place in 264 BC - a funeral rite, not entertainment. A terrace on the Capitoline Hill opens onto a thousand years of temples layered above the Forum. The walk closes past Trajan's Forum and the Basilica of Maxentius, back at the Colosseum.
Perfect for history lovers who want more than a photo stop. Install the free VoiceMap app and enter the ticket code from your confirmation email to download the tour and start walking.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The tour starts in the pedestrian area beside the Arch of Constantine, near the Colosseum. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading
Itinerary
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Colosseum (Pass by)
Pass by the Colosseum, the Flavian Amphitheatre where gladiators once fought before roaring crowds. Learn how spectacle, imperial power, and architecture combined to stage Rome's most famous games. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Capitoline Hill (Pass by)
Walk along the base of the Capitoline Hill, Rome's most sacred hill and civic center since antiquity. Learn about the Temple of Jupiter, triumphal processions, and the legend of Tarpeia's betrayal. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Arch of Constantine (Pass by)
Pass by the Arch of Constantine, built to celebrate his victory over Maxentius in AD 312. Notice how its reliefs recycle imagery from earlier monuments to legitimize the new emperor's rule. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Circus Maximus (Pass by)
Stroll past the Circus Maximus, Rome's vast chariot-racing stadium stretching between the Palatine and Aventine hills. Imagine the roaring crowds, racing factions, and betting culture that once filled this valley. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin (Pass by)
Pass by the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin, a medieval church rooted in Rome's Greek-speaking community. Admire its portico, bell tower, and famous marble mask, the Mouth of Truth. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Mouth Of Truth (Pass by)
Stroll past the Bocca della Verità, an ancient marble face legend says bites off the hands of liars. It gained lasting global fame after appearing in the film Roman Holiday. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Piazza del Campidoglio (Pass by)
Walk along Piazza del Campidoglio, Michelangelo's Renaissance masterpiece atop the Capitoline Hill. Admire the trapezoidal design, star-patterned pavement, and statue of Marcus Aurelius at its center. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Capitoline Museums (Pass by)
Pass by the Capitoline Museums, the world's oldest public museum complex, housing the original bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius and treasures spanning Rome's ancient and Renaissance history. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Foro Romano (Pass by)
Walk along the edge of the Roman Forum, the civic, religious, and political heart of ancient Rome. Explore layered ruins of temples, arches, and basilicas spanning over a thousand years. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass by Imperial Forum Relais, a charming bed and breakfast tucked in the historic Monti district, steps from the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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