Tourists beat the heat with 'magical' Colosseum night tours

The Colosseum in Rome has extended its opening hours into the night this summer, giving visitors the opportunity to explore one of the world’s most famous ancient monuments in cooler temperatures after sunset.
The night tours, which run until 11:00 pm, have proved popular, with all available places sold out. Tourists visiting the monument this week described the experience as both “magical” and “romantic”, particularly as the ancient amphitheatre takes on a different atmosphere when illuminated at night.
“After sunset is a lot more comfortable”, Victor Li, 52, said while touring the arena and the underground passages where animals and gladiators were once held.
“It’s a good idea because it’s really hot in the morning and during the day”, said Svetlana Spielberg, who was visiting from the United States. She described the monument as “really beautiful” at night, adding that the evening setting made the experience “more romantic”.
The Colosseum had previously offered night tours on two evenings each week, but that number has been doubled to four this summer. The additional openings come as Rome and other parts of Italy experience increasingly intense summer heat, prompting some tourists to avoid visiting major attractions during the hottest hours of the day.
“The idea of doubling the night tours and doing them also on Fridays and Saturdays was mainly to give access to visitors that prefer cooler hours”, said Simone Quilici, director of the Colosseum archaeological complex.
The extended opening hours have been made possible through a grant from Italy’s culture ministry. Quilici said the initiative could potentially be extended into September, depending on demand and available resources.
The night visits are guided, with visitor numbers deliberately kept low to preserve the quality of the experience. Only 275 people are admitted each night, a small fraction of the crowds that can gather at the monument during peak periods.
The Colosseum can receive as many as 20,000 visitors a day during the busiest periods, making the quieter evening tours an alternative for those looking to experience the site away from the daytime crowds and heat.
Built in the first century, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre in the world and one of Rome’s most recognisable landmarks. The vast structure once hosted public spectacles including animal hunts and gladiatorial contests and could accommodate around 50,000 spectators.
For visitors who have seen the monument during daylight hours, the night experience offers a different perspective.
Marco Pravini, who travelled from Cremona, said he had already visited the amphitheatre during the day, but found the evening visit particularly memorable.
“At night the light, the atmosphere is much more magical”, he said. — AFP