Colosseum, Rome

The Colosseum is probably the most famous landmark in Rome. Built in the 1st century AD, this great arena could seat 45,000 spectators and was the largest Roman amphitheater in the world.

It hosted gladiatorial combats, spectacles with wild beasts and possibly the execution of early Christians. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was believed to be a place of martyrdom and was therefore regarded as a sacred place.

History

Construction on the Colosseum began under Emperor Vespasian (69-79) and was completed under his son Titus (79-81) in 80 AD . It was built on the site of an artificial lake created by Nero in this valley between Rome's many hills, in front of his Domus Aurea palace.

The arena was then known as the Flavian Amphitheatre , after the family name of the emperors who built it. Nama "Colosseum" was not used until 7th century, and derives from the colossal statue of Nero that once stood here. After Nero's death, the statue was transformed into a representation of Helios, the sun god. It remained standing until the Middle Ages, when it was probably melted down for its bronze.

The amphitheatre was used for gladiatorial combats, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The inaugural festival of the Flavian Amphitheatre, which was the largest amphitheatre in the world, lasted 100 days, during which over 5,000 wild beasts were killed in the arena.

The arena was restored in about 230 AD by Emperor Alexander Severus (222-35). The statistics of those who met their deaths at the Colosseum during another festival, held in 240 AD, are staggering: 2,000 gladiators; 70 lions; 40 wild horses; 30 elephants; 30 leopards; 20 wild asses; 19 giraffes; 10 elks; 10 hyenas; 10 tigers; 1 hippopotamus; and 1 rhinoceros.

The Flavian Amphitheatre was damaged by fire and earthquake several times but was continually restored until the end of the 5th century. Gladiatorial combats were outlawed by the Christian emperor Honorius in 407 and fights with wild beasts were banned in 523. After this, the arena went out of use.

According to the bishop and church historian Theodoret, Honorius was moved to ban the bloody spectacle of the gladiators because of a simple monk named Telmachus:

A certain man of the name of Telemahus had embraced the ascetic life. When the abominable spectacle was being exhibited, he went himself into the stadium, and, stepping down into the arena, endeavored to stop the men who were wielding their weapons against one another.

The spectators of the slaughter were indignant, and inspired by the mad fury of the demon who delights in those bloody deeds, stoned the peacemaker to death.
When the admirable emperor was informed of this he numbered Telemachus in the army of victorious martyrs, and put an end to that impious spectacle.
(Theodoret, Ecclesiastical History 5.26)

Telemachus is the only Colosseum martyr of whom there is any evidence. The long-held belief that scores of Christians met their deaths here in the 1st to 3rd centuries has no evidence to support it and may only be a legend.

However, it is perfectly possible there were martyrdoms here, since Christians are known to have been executed in other Roman amphitheatres, such as the one at Lyon and in the Circus of Nero on Vatican Hill.

The belief that Christians were martyred here was a fairly early one, as reflected by the response of Pope Gregory the Great (590-604) to the Byzantine emperor's request for some Roman relics: among the relics given was a bag of sand from the Colosseum floor.

The Colosseum fell into disrepair shortly after its closure in 523. Pada 526, In 526, the barbarian Totila and his forces destroyed parts of it in order to take the valuable bronze clamps that held the stones together. After that, Romans freely helped themselves to the great arena's stones in order to build their houses.

In this period the Colosseum was also used as a Christian burial ground. Early Christian tombs have been found in three areas around the amphitheatre: in the foundations on the north and east sides and on the exterior ground near the present entrance.

the Colosseum was situated on the most important pilgrim route in Rome, which led from, Peter's to the Lateran , and a small suburb grew up around it.In this period the great arena was thought to be a Roman temple to the Sun because of the Colossus statue of Nero-turned-Helios that stood next to it.

In the 13th century, the Colosseum was fortified and occupied by the Frangipani family and the suburb around it became a prosperous area of Rome. However, the area later fell prey to malaria and was abandoned.

Looting of the stone continued on-and-off until the 18th century, when Pope Benedict XIV (1740-58) declared the Colosseum sanctified by the blood of early Christian martyrs and added Stations of the Cross to the arena. After this it was restored and excavated, a work that continues to the present day.

Romantic travelers of the 18th and 19th centuries were smitten with the great ruin of the Colosseum. Among these were Charles Dickens, who wrote in 1846:

It is the most impressive, the most stately, the most solemn, grand, majestic, mournful sight, conceivable. Never in its bloodiest prime can the sight of the gigantic Colosseum, full and running over with the lustiest life, have moved one heart, as it must move all who look upon it now, a ruin. God be thanked: a ruin!

What to See

The exterior of the Roman Colosseum is made entirely of travertine, stretching 527 m around and four stories highThe arches of the second and third stories were originally filled with statues. There were 80 entrances, with the two principal ones reserved for the emperor and his entourage.

The interior is made of brick, tufa and marble; little of the marble survives today. The central area, the arena , was covered with a great wooden floor and canvas to make it waterproof. Over this was a layer of sand to absorb blood - in fact "arena" derives from the Latin word for sand. The floor is now exposed down to its underground passages, where beasts and gladiators awaited their fate, and crossed by a modern walkway.

The arena was surrounded by a 5m-high wall to protect spectators from attacks by wild beasts. At the top of the wall was the podium , on which the imperial party and other VIPs had their seats.

Near the site of the imperial box is a cross , which replaces an earlier one set up to commemorate the Christians who were believed to have been martyred here.

Above this was the cavea , or seating area. This was divided into three tiers: the lowest for knights; the middle for wealthy citizens; and the top for the general population. In total the Colosseum could hold up to 45,000 spectators.

The base of the Colossus statue of Nero, after which the amphitheatre is named, can be seen between the Colosseum and the nearby Temple of Venus and Roma.

Festivals and Events

The Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession to the Colosseum on Good Friday.

Meteora - Yunani

Meteora means suspended in air. Meteora is a beautiful place which above the mountain of big rock. That place is higher than the surrounding area.Hermit Byzantine monks in the ninth century first inhbited these mountains, living on fissures and caves along the rocks to spend time with God. In the 14th century, these hermit monks built 20 different monastaries to get away from Turkish occupation. The tall cliffs were the perfect escape for these monks. At first only ladders and ropes were the only way to reach these monestaries. During the 1920s steps were carved out making it more accessible. Today only six monestaries remain.

Best times to go May and June, it has the most comfortable weather. Acquaint yourself with Greek Orthodoxy to get the most enjoyment.

How to go: use buses from Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Trikala, and Athens. Lots of lodging options in Kalampaka at the base of Meteora.

Plitvice Lake - Croasia

Plitvice Lake is a beautiful National Park which we must visit with our friends, family,or partner. This place is really beautiful and romantice place with it own naturally view. Located roughly halfway between capital city Zagreb and Zadar on the coast, the lakes are a definitely must-see.The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species. The National Park covers a total area of 300 square kilometres, whilst the lakes join together over a distance of eight kilometres.

There really is nothing better than to walk (or hike) through the Park, taking in the beautiful surroundings and admiring the lakes, waterfalls, nature and wildlife. The Park prints out maps for a number of different walks, of varying lengths, that can be undertaken starting from either entrance.

There is also an electric boat that takes you from one side of the largest lake to the other. This boat runs all year round, more frequently during summer.

A "panoramic train" (i.e. a shuttle bus) also runs within a particular route in the park. You can walk part of the way through the park and then hop on the shuttle bus to take you back to one of the entrances.

Best of all, Plitvice Lakes isn't just for summer. It's a stunning place to visit any time of year as the different seasons sea the Park take on different hues. Even in winter - Plitvice is also amazing to see in the snow.

A restaurant - Licka kuca (Lika House) - is located near Entrance 1. It serves traditional food from the Lika region of Croatia, in which Plitvice Lakes National Park is situated. So plitvice Lake is one of many place must visited because this place is really beautiful place

Winter in Plitvice

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Summer in plitvice

Franconia, Jerman

Romantic Road is a beautiful route using a vehicle in Germany by Bayern which will take you from the Franconian wine country to the foot of the Alps, Germany. During the trip you'll be presented with things that are romantic and exciting at 261 miles along this route.

Follow the romantic streets of your heart, then you will find a pure natural, beautiful city with city walls, towers, house among the woods, hidden monasteries, medieval castles, and romantic hotel of course. Formerly a romantic way to be an important trade route during the Middle Ages, but this route is now transformed into an attractive tourist trip

Here are the places you will visit during a trip with your partner on a romantic route.

Wurzburg
Wurzburg is located in the heart of Franken, the area is overgrown with grapes. Wurzburg is famous for its fine wines, gourmet restaurant, wine festivals, colorful, and vineyards are beautiful. Architectural gem here is the castle of Wurzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage list.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Welcome to the best medieval town in Germany. The center of the fort is a perfect view. Here you can walk on the medieval wall that surrounds the old city center, or go to the historic town of Hall, to see the spectacular scenery.

Hotel Castle Colmberg
Here, you both can spend the night in the castle hotel that has 1000 years old.

Dinkelsbuhl
Dinkelsbuhl old town boasts 16 towers fortress, some authentic city gates, and walls of the original ring. Here you can take a tour through the historic city at night by guards who patrol the city center.

Augsburg
Ausburg a meeting of the Roman heritage and the rich merchants of the Middle Ages. Ausburg is a historic town with a baroque-style houses, good roads, and a traditional restaurant where you can enjoy dinner with candles in the old vaulted rooms of the medieval original.

Pfaffenwinkel
Pfaffenwinke is part of Bavaria (called "Pastor Corner") because here is famous for its churches and pristine landscapes. If you are here you should see Wieskirche pilgrimage church ("Church in the Meadow") in Steingaden. This rococo-style church, one of the baroque style in the list of UNESCO World Heritage.

Neuschwanstein
In the fairy tale castle Neuschwanstein sebuat nested there in the Bavarian Alps. In the most famous castles in Germany are you and your partner will find a lot of romantic things.

The best way to enjoy a romantic way of course use the car, and you can get a rental car at the Frankfurt Airport. Take the access road to Wurzburg B3 is the starting point of a romantic way. Of Wurzburg You just follow the signs to an existing route.

For the record, a good time for visiting the romantic road is autumn, winter, or spring.

Praha, Ceko

Praha is the one of many romantice place in eastern europe.Old buildings that adorn the city represents a number of styles that developed in Europe ranging from gothic, baroque, Rennaisance,art nouveau to the neo-classical and ultra-modern. walking in the old city we can find many museum.the Museum of the Capital City of Prague, the Jewish Museum in Prague, the Alfons Mucha Museum, the African-Prague Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague the Náprstek Museum (Náprstkovo Muzeum, the Josef Sudek Gallery, the National Library and the National Gallery

There are hundreds of concert halls, galleries, cinemas and music clubs in the city. Prague hosts Music Festivals including the Prague Spring International Music Festival, the Prague Autumn International Music Festival and the Prague International Organ Festival. Film festivals include the Febiofest, the One World and Echoes of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Prague also hosts the Prague Writers' Festival, the Prague Folklore Days, Prague Advent Choral Meeting g, the Summer Shakespeare Festival, the Prague Fringe Festival, the World Roma Festival, as well as the hundreds of Vernissages and fashion shows.

In addition to the incredible architecture, Prague is also known for its arts and cultural activities are growing rapidly. Famous Czech beer can also be easily found in Prague. Come is each May to watch the CzechBeer Festival which involved more than 70 brands of beer fromthe Czech.