After closing due to the lockdown, which lasted 84 days, the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater in the world, reopens surprising with news and scheduled events. The director of the Archaeological Park announced them Alfonsina Russian who hopes this A new start marks a season of hope, peace and rebirth - more than ever necessary today for Italian tourism and art.
The one announced to reporters is one phase experimental. It will last for the entire month of June. Subsequently, it will be considered whether to extend the hours of visits and services. "We reopen the Colosseum which had fallen into a surreal silence - says the director Alfonsina Russo - and that it had lost its relationship with the general public, also because the monument attracted over 7 million visitors last year. Today we hope to have a renewed public, we expect many Romans and above all a public of proximity in the perspective of the reopening of the regional borders. Waiting for the epidemic curve to allow us to welcome international tourism which represents 70 percent of visitors."
New beginning
For the new beginning the archaeological site of the amphitheater adopts rigid security to protect the health of the community. At the entrance they were accommodated dispenser di gel disinfectant e thermoscanner Intelligent able to measure the temperature of passing tourists. They will also reveal whether the visitor is wearing the mask or not. The elevators will also be constantly sanitized.
They will change access times. The archaeological site of the Colosseum can only be visited in the band hourly 10.30 – 19.15. Online booking and ticket purchase is required. Visits are guaranteed to individuals and groups of up to 14 people and it will be possible to enter every 15 minutes and with the accompaniment of a guide. The idea of organizing themed evening visits with a predefined program of cultural and musical events is also being considered.
Another novelty, the activation of a special ticket: it's called ART, Short for Afternoon Reduced Ticket, costs 9,50 euros and will be usable every day of the week from 14.00 to 19.15 and will guarantee access to the Colosseum upon reservation of the time. It includes as a bonus a visit to the archaeological area of the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill (without booking the time). Naturally, it includes a visit to the exhibitions and events periodically taking place in the area.
To promote the concept of conscious visit, a app which allows you to mark the map of the route and which will enrich each stage with the relevant information. There are two paths through the amphitheater, The Colosseum tells itself e The Colosseum Arena, and have been supplemented by graffiti which tell the story of the amphitheater in the period of abandonment, from the Middle Ages to around 1600. The paths of the Roman Forum are instead four: The square of the Roman Forum, Visits to the Emilia and Giulia Basilicas, Strolling on the Via Sacra, Visit to the Palatine Hill, At the origins of Rome.
Featured photo by Michele Bitetto on Unsplash
