Private Guided Tour of the Colosseum

Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forums: Immersive Guided Tours

For those interested in history, and for tourists eager to learn more about the glorious beginnings of the Roman State, I offer my personalized tour of the ancient part of Rome. The route includes visits to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

The heart of the Roman Empire was the ancient Roman Forum, where the fate of not only the city itself was decided, but also that of vast territories, stretching from Scotland to Egypt, and from Spain to Iraq.

What to expect during the tour

On Palatine Hill, on April 21, 753 BC, according to Marcus Terentius Varro, the city of Rome was founded. But what exactly happened on this fateful date? Who owned this territory, under whose jurisdiction did it fall, and which ancient people lived there? I will share a unique story, offering various perspectives on the origin of the name of Rome. For you, it may be a new and incredibly fascinating account, where we will reinterpret the roles of the legendary Romulus and Remus in an entirely new and unconventional hermeneutic framework.

In a much later period, the Imperial Palace stood on Palatine Hill. It is interesting to note that the word ‘palace’ itself derives from ‘Palatine’ – the site where the residence of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world was located.

What will be the itinerary of our tour

We will begin our Rome guided tour of the Colosseum at the Flavian Amphitheater (Colosseum) and ascend to the upper tiers, where you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view of the arena and the underground chambers where gladiators and exotic animals awaited their turn to face the stage, thanks to sophisticated mechanisms. On the highest tier, according to most historians, women and the poorest members of Roman society were seated.

From the former Imperial entrance, we’ll proceed to Palatine Hill, where the remains of the Imperial Palace can be found. The palace was actually composed of various sections, such as the Domus Tiberiana, Domus Flavia, Domus Augustana, and Domus Severiana. Here, during our private tour of the Colosseum in Rome, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo – Great Hippodrome). On the Roman Forum, we’ll also see the probable site of the mythical founder of the city, King Romulus, where his body was believed to have been burned.

We’ll learn about the life of Gaius Julius Caesar and visit the site where his body was cremated. In 29 BC, thanks to Octavian, a temple was built in honor of the dictator. We’ll see the Basilica Julia and the Basilica Aemilia and explore why many Christian churches today are still referred to by the ancient term “basilica.”

Of course, the most important institution of the Roman state was located on the Forum—the Curia Julia, where the Senate met and laws were enacted. The Temple of Vesta, the Temple of the Dioscuri, and the temples of the “good” emperors Vespasian and Antoninus Pius will also be part of our exploration. We will conclude our tour with a walk along the Sacred Way (Via Sacra), which passes through the Arch of Emperor Septimius Severus and ascends to the Capitoline Hill.