Underground Colosseum

The Colosseum was built between 70 AD by Emperor Vespasian and 80 AD by his heir Titus.
It was built on a swampy area, so a 15-meter high travertine base was created on which drainage systems and service galleries were built.

Over the years, the Colosseum has undergone many changes to its original design. Among these changes, Emperor Domitian ordered the construction of an underground level, known as the Hypogeum, which was built above the drainage systems.

The underground of the Colosseum consisted of a system of galleries with two enormous corridors. It was in these galleries that the slaves moved, performing their services without being seen by the spectators and without interfering with the performances in the arena. The underground also housed wild animals and gladiators, who trained before entering the arena through 80 vertical tunnels with direct access to the arena.

The renovations that took place over the years led to the installation of some of the most advanced systems of the time, such as lifts and hydraulic mechanisms.

In the centuries that followed, after it had ceased to be used for battles, the underground area was filled in until excavations began at the end of the 19th century.

Visit the underground of the Colosseum

Guided tours are available to enter the underground area of the Colosseum and learn more about the history of the largest Roman amphitheatre in the world. The same ticket includes a visit to the arena, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.