Things are always better when you’re well rested, and that is how this day began. Today was going to be another long one, but it was one that we were both looking forward to. After the chaos of the day before, having to find a new way to get tickets to the Colosseum, we were just happy that we would have the opportunity to visit. Before we could go there, we had to make a few other stops. The first would be for me, as starting my day without caffeine and food isn’t good for anyone.
Once we both had a delicious pastry and something to drink from a local café, it was time to head to the starting point of the day. Since I had to book tickets at the last minute for the Colosseum, it ended up including Mamertine Prison. Per the instructions on the booking, you had to go there first. They would issue you tickets for the Colosseum for a time that day, and you could explore the prison until it was time to head to the Colosseum. Our apartment was only a few minutes from the prison, so the walk was short. Getting the tickets was very simple, and the staff was very nice.
Mamertine Prison is the oldest prison in Rome. It is also where the apostles Peter and Paul were held during their last days. Looking at it from the outside, you wouldn’t think that it is as old as it is, but as they say, looks can be deceiving. When you go inside, the space feels very modern. There is a museum that talks about the history of the prison and is very informative. There are steps that you can take to go down and see where the prisoners were held. It is a really interesting experience and is very close to the Roman Forum. I do recommend it as it also made getting tickets for the Colosseum an easy experience.
Once we finished with the prison, there was still a bit of time before we had to be at the Colosseum. We spent this time making our way down the Via dei Fori Imperiali. While we didn’t go into the Roman Forum itself, we did stop to admire what we could see along the way. There was so much more to see, but with Mike still recovering from being sick, we didn’t want to push it. Along the way, there were people trying to sell prints of watercolor paintings, others would try to ask for money, but we managed to just ignore them and continue on our way.
While we were walking, we passed by some filming taking place to a movie or tv show. I wasn’t sure what they were doing, but it isn’t the first time we’ve encountered filming during our travels. Since we were both getting hungry, we grabbed a few sandwiches from a café while we walked to the Colosseum. After finding a place to sit, we ate while enjoying everything around us. There is a lot to take in while sitting and watching people. One thing to be mindful of when you’re sitting, whether it is on a bench or outside of a café or restaurant, you need to make sure you keep an eye on your personal belongings. Thieves and pickpockets will take advantage of any situation, so make sure you’re vigilant. They are very sneaky.
Once we made it to the Colosseum, we walked around the area for a bit as we waited for the time to enter. There were a lot of people in the area, some selling tickets, some trying to get you to buy their wares. A few were constantly pestering us until I became very stern and told them to leave me alone. After that, they didn’t approach us again. It wasn’t long before it was time for us to get in line to get inside the Colosseum. If you ever see ‘skip the line’ for anything in Rome, don’t believe it. There will always be lines, whether it is to enter the venue or just to get through security, there will always be something that you have to wait for before you can go inside. The line for getting into the Colosseum went quickly and security was efficient yet diligent. Once inside, it was crowded with people. Despite being the end of September, the city was still full of tourists from all over the world.
We proceeded to make our way through the vast tour groups and people admiring the ancient structure. Since Mike wasn’t 100% still and was using his cane to get around, we decided to take the elevator for people who couldn’t traverse the steps. The staff was super helpful and very nice with assisting us with the elevator. As we walked around the Colosseum, there was more to see than you would expect. We took our time and even made sure to take in the view as we looked down into the underground area.
When you first make your way to the inner part of the Colosseum, it really puts into perspective how big this place is. Even with all the people, you didn’t feel like you were packed into a space. There was plenty of space to walk around and explore without getting into someone’s way. Being inside makes you think back to the events that took place, ranging from gladiator fights to recreations of battles, and how many people would’ve filled up the seats. It truly is a marvel that anyone should visit if they are in Rome.
Since we were not with a tour group, we were able to take our time and really enjoy the site. We did have other things we wanted to do later on, but we probably could’ve spent the entire day inside the Colosseum. Once we video called my mom and spent a bit of time exploring the gift shop, it was time to leave the Colosseum. I definitely want to go back and spend time exploring other areas, but getting to go was a really cool experience. Now it was time to go explore more of what Rome has to offer.
After leaving the Colosseum we refilled our water bottle and started our trek on foot to our next destination. Walking to most places is easy in Rome, but sometimes you may want to find a taxi rank and spend a few euros to give your feet a rest. Since the next place we were going wasn’t too far, we decided to walk. The weather was nice and it was nice to take our time experiencing everything there is to see around the Colosseum. As we made our way past Palatine Hill we came upon Circus Maximus. It was only a few more blocks till we would reach our next destination, the Baths of Caracalla.
The baths were something my husband found while researching places in Rome he wanted to go to. They are a bit out of the way from the main touristy things, which means they are also not nearly as busy as some things. When we arrived, there was no line to get in or to purchase tickets. I had pre-purchased tickets online, but it doesn’t seem like that is something you must do.
Once we got inside, we realized how big of an area it really is. There were other people and a couple school groups, but with how large the area is, you didn’t feel like they were there. We took a few minutes to sit on a bench and just take in the space. The baths were the second largest public baths in Rome. They covered 33 acres of land and could accommodate 1600 people at once. While it doesn’t cover the same amount of area, the ruins are able to provide a picture of what the Romans would’ve done during their time there. The baths were more than just what their name says, they were a place for social engagement and to commiserate over events at the Colosseum, politics, or just everyday life.
Walking through the ruins is fascinating. There are areas on the ground that show some of the mosaics that covered the floors. While it is a ruin, there are plenty of signs that show how things would’ve looked to the Romans that visited the baths. The vast pools and areas for people to spend time were opulent for the time. People wanted to be seen there. In one of the areas, there was a contemporary art piece on display, which I felt took away from the experience a little bit since the modern clashed with the historical details that were left behind.
It was getting later in the day, despite wanting to spend more time there, we knew it would be wise to begin our trek back to the apartment. As we said goodbye to the baths, we made our way back to Circus Maximus to get a closer look. At the time, they were setting up for a concert that was to take place. One thing about that area is if something is going on there, make sure to plan ahead. They had signs already talking about bus delays and traffic, despite the event being a couple days out. We took in the area from the street before we started to head back to the apartment we were staying in.
By the time we got back to the area we were staying, we’d both grown a large appetite. After over a week of eating pizza and pasta, we opted for a different dining experience and headed to the Nag’s Head Scottish Pub. I know people probably think it’s crazy to visit a pub when there are so many excellent restaurants to visit. A nice pint of Guinness was a nice change from the wine or spritz I’d been having over the time we’d been in Italy. The food was very good pub fare and we left feeling full and happy.
Once we got back to the apartment, we spent some time going through everything we’d bought while we were there. Tomorrow was going to be the last day we had in Rome. While we were looking forward to what we had planned for the day, we were also sad to know that we would be leaving Italy. After a shower to rinse the day away, it was time to sleep and prepare for what was in store for our final day in Italy.
