A Girls’ Trip to the Colosseum
A Family Girls’ Adventure in Rome: Exploring the Colosseum
Our family girls' trip to Rome, Italy, was a dream come true—a multi-generational journey that brought together myself, my mother, my sister, and my two young nieces for a week filled with laughter, culture, and unforgettable sights. One of the most memorable highlights was our visit to the iconic Colosseum, a symbol of ancient Rome that left each of us in awe. Seeing it in person was like stepping into a history book—but what truly brought it to life was our guided tour, led by an incredibly knowledgeable and engaging tour guide.
Having a guide made all the difference. He was not only passionate about Roman history, but also had a great sense of humor and a gift for storytelling that kept all ages in our group—from my nieces to my mom—fully engaged. He painted vivid pictures of life in ancient Rome, explaining the brutal but fascinating world of gladiators, emperors, and roaring crowds. As we walked through the weathered stone arches and climbed the steep staircases, he pointed out lesser-known architectural features and shared fascinating anecdotes that gave the Colosseum a whole new depth.
Here are three fun facts we learned during our visit:
The Colosseum could hold over 50,000 spectators, who were seated according to their social status—elite citizens sat closest to the action, while the poor were up in the highest tiers.
The arena was once flooded for mock naval battles in the early days of the Colosseum’s use—complete with ships and sailors!
Its real name isn't actually "the Colosseum"—it was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, named after the emperor who built it. The nickname "Colosseum" likely comes from a colossal statue of Nero that once stood nearby.
The Colosseum was commissioned around 70–72 AD by Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty and completed in 80 AD under his son Titus. It was built on the site of Nero’s former private lake and palace grounds as a way to return public land to the people of Rome.
The construction was a monumental feat of Roman engineering. It used:
Concrete and stone (especially travertine limestone) for strength and durability.
Roman arches and vaults to support the weight of the structure and allow large crowds to move in and out quickly—an early version of stadium crowd control.
Iron clamps to hold stone blocks together (though many were later looted, causing some of the damage we see today).
Thousands of slaves and skilled laborers worked on the Colosseum, and it was completed in less than a decade—a stunning timeline given the scale and detail of the building.
What you see on the Colosseum's floor today is the hypogeum—a vast underground network of rooms, tunnels, and cages that once sat beneath a wooden arena floor covered with sand. This system was added a few years after the Colosseum opened.
The hypogeum was a backstage area where:
Animals were held in cages and raised to the arena floor via elevators and trapdoors.
Gladiators prepared before being lifted into the arena for combat.
Stage sets and props for elaborate shows or mock sea battles were managed.
There were over 30 elevators operated by a complex system of pulleys and manpower. This allowed lions, tigers, and other exotic beasts to seemingly appear out of nowhere during the games—quite the spectacle for Roman audiences.
Today, the hypogeum is exposed because the wooden floor is gone, but walking through it (often available as part of special tours) gives you a whole new appreciation for how advanced Roman engineering truly was.
Traveling with women and girls across multiple generations meant we had to be smart about our packing and comfort. Although we did have a few essentials with us (a.k.a our cameras) and collapsible water bottles (because Rome can get really hot and dry) we could have taken a few other things. For our next visit we’ll be sure to bring cooling towels in order to cool down while walking around with the hot sun beating down on you or portable neck fans— surprisingly effective and stylish way to stay cool under the Mediterranean sun. And lastly, comfortable walking shoes with arch support are an absolute must. The Colosseum’s ancient stone floors and staircases are beautiful but unforgiving on your feet!
Exploring the Colosseum with my mom, my sister, and my nieces wasn’t just a sightseeing experience—it was a moment of connection, curiosity, and shared discovery. Oh, and a lot of laughing. It reminded us how travel has the power to bridge generations, create shared memories, and spark lifelong learning. If you're heading to Rome, make the Colosseum a priority, bring the right gear, and take the tour—you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for history and a stronger bond with your travel companions.
