A visit to the splendid capital of Rome would not be complete without seeing the site where the mighty Circus Maximus once stood.
This was the first and largest chariot racing stadium in all of Rome that could hold up to 250,000 spectators.
Situated between the Palatine and Aventine hills, the remains of the Circus Maximus is now barely recognisable from the huge stadium it once was and is now a public park.
The Circus Maximus site was first established by the Etruscan kings of Rome to grant the publics’ desire for an entertainment meeting ground. Julius Caesar ordered the expansion of this space around 50 BC to accommodate upwards of 270,000 people to view the chariot racing or other entertainment from seats within the stadium or standing on the surrounding hills.
This was the first and largest chariot racing stadium in all of Rome that could hold up to 250,000 spectators.
Situated between the Palatine and Aventine hills, the remains of the Circus Maximus is now barely recognisable from the huge stadium it once was and is now a public park.
The Circus Maximus site was first established by the Etruscan kings of Rome to grant the publics’ desire for an entertainment meeting ground. Julius Caesar ordered the expansion of this space around 50 BC to accommodate upwards of 270,000 people to view the chariot racing or other entertainment from seats within the stadium or standing on the surrounding hills.
With every new emperor that took power, it became almost a ritual to add more glamour and expansion to the Circus Maximus. The emperor Trajan ordered another tier of 5,000 seats to be built but in 140 AD it collapsed, killing 1112 spectators. This is still the largest sports related tragedy in history!
The track of Circus Maximus could easily host 12 racing chariots and it was divided into a long oval shape by a large wall called a spina. Statues of Roman gods, metal sculptures and even an Egyptian obelisk once stood here as decoration.
The track of Circus Maximus could easily host 12 racing chariots and it was divided into a long oval shape by a large wall called a spina. Statues of Roman gods, metal sculptures and even an Egyptian obelisk once stood here as decoration.
Chariot racing was an extremely dangerous sport, often at least one chariot racer was killed during a race and many crashes occurred. The race lasted for approximately four miles and was a huge source of entertainment for the people of Rome.
Visit this once magnificent site and just imagine the elaborate atmosphere that once filled Circus Maximus when it was in its prime! Choose from a splendid range of vacation rentals in the Rome area and explore all this ancient city has to offer. Visit other interesting attractions like the nearby Palatine hill upon which Rome was founded and the spectacular Trevi fountain!
Visit this once magnificent site and just imagine the elaborate atmosphere that once filled Circus Maximus when it was in its prime! Choose from a splendid range of vacation rentals in the Rome area and explore all this ancient city has to offer. Visit other interesting attractions like the nearby Palatine hill upon which Rome was founded and the spectacular Trevi fountain!
Photo credits
picture 1: Carptrash / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: PetarM / CC BY-SA 4.0;
picture 1: Carptrash / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: PetarM / CC BY-SA 4.0;