Visiting the Colosseum Reflections from Rome

Jul 17

Rome’s famous Colosseum was within walking distance of our Guest House. Built some 1900 years ago, two-thirds of it has been destroyed over the years. The remaining third of this largest amphitheater in the world is the most visited site in Rome.

During our recent visit, we walked to this iconic landmark several times during different weather conditions and times of day. On our final full day in the “Eternal City,” we scheduled a three-hour walking tour that included the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. The informative tour was sometimes disturbing but well worth the cost.

Today, the Colosseum is jammed with mega groups of tourists, but in its prime, this grand structure was filled with much violence, including gladiator contests and public executions. Some reports claim as many as 3000 early followers of Christ were martyred at the Colosseum. What a debt of gratitude is owed to the multitudes of martyrs who were willing in the past—and in some locations even today—to face a violent death for the sake of following Jesus. Such dedication humbles and causes me to ask tough questions about the depth of my own faith.

I hope you’ll enjoy these photos from this historic site in Rome.