🏛️ Brief history of the Colosseum Underground
72–80 AD: Construction of the Colosseum begins under Emperor Vespasian and is completed by Titus. The Underground (hypogeum) is built to house animals, gladiators, and stage machinery.
80–404 AD: The Colosseum hosts gladiator battles, animal hunts, and elaborate shows. The Underground becomes the backstage hub for complex performances, using trapdoors and wooden elevators.
5th Century AD: With the decline of the Roman Empire, public spectacles cease. The Colosseum—and its Underground—falls into neglect and disrepair.
Middle ages: The structure is repurposed as a quarry. Stones are taken for other Roman buildings. The Underground is buried and forgotten.
18th–19th Centuries: Excavations begin, bringing parts of the Underground back to light. Archaeologists begin to uncover its original purpose and layout.
20th Century: Major restoration efforts aim to preserve the Colosseum, including structural work on the Underground chambers and tunnels.
2010s: The Colosseum Underground opens to the public via guided tours, offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Rome’s most iconic amphitheater.
Detailed history of the Colosseum
