On my first day in Rome, I lost 3€ at an automated ticket machine at the station. In a state of frustration, I decided to walk to the Colosseum. As I walked, it was incredible to see buildings from ancient Roman times still standing and passing by me. I felt incredibly fortunate!
The closer I got to the destination, the faster my heart raced. Gazing at the Colosseum from a distance, I was so moved that I was on the verge of tears. That light, that angle—it's an image I've seen in textbooks for many years!
After touring the area, I learned that besides the battles between man and beast, the Colosseum also once served as a performance space for religious dramas. This added another layer of awe and respect for the place to me.
Over a millennium has passed, and the walls that once bore witness to the stains of blood and the remains of the deceased have now faded, erasing any trace of their haunting smell.
Colosseo／Colosseum Piazza del Colosseo, Rome