And here is my saga of updating older posts in these time of ours. Anyway, it has been a wonderful excuse to see again these wonderful memories of old that will never go away. By family vote, they asked to come to Rome, Italy and we did. I had been on business but this time was memorable with stories to last our lifetime. Let me bring you up the Circus Maximus of Rome! Hope you enjoy it as I.
So we went off to Italy , well I went off several times mostly on business trips, but with the family we chose Rome. Such an impressive name and a great introduction for them to Italy. There is so much to see , very old stones of very old history nevertheless, a primer from where most began. However, as usual many have been general in scope and I feel this spot in Rome deserves a bit more description and information on it. I will tell you a bit more on the Circo Massimo di Roma!
The Circo Massimo or Circus Maximus literally “the biggest circus”, is the largest and oldest racecourse in Rome, considering the importance of its dimensions and the richness of its history compared to the dozen or so circus of Rome, it is often called simply “Circus” by the ancient writers. The largest public building of ancient Rome, it is mainly dedicated to chariot races but it can also be used for other types of show or during triumphal processions, especially from the reign of Trajan. Today, it is located in the rione of Ripa and remains the scene of large gatherings at festivals, concerts, or other major events.
A bit of history I like, just a bit ok
The Roman tradition attributes the foundation of the circus to Tarquin the Elder, in 599 BC, with the first works of arrangement. Its location corresponds to the site where, in the time of Romulus, the rites and the first sacred games, called Consualiaa, which included equestrian races, would have taken place in honor of the god Consus. At the end of the 4C BC appear the first permanent structures but it was not until the end of the 1C BC, with the work undertaken by Julius Caesar and Augustus, for the building to adopt its definitive form of Roman circus. At the beginning of the 4C, Emperor Constantine I restored the circus magnificently, and prepared a site on the spina for a new obelisk taken from Karnak in Egypt and it arrived in Rome in 323. In May 357, the Emperor Constantine II resumes the project of Constantine I to raise a second obelisk on the spina. This second obelisk is a monolith of 33 meters, the largest in Rome, as high as a 10-story building. It was carved out of Syrian Aswan pink granite during the reign of Tuthmosis IV between 1401 and 1390 BC. It is today known as the Lateran Obelisk, because it was re-erected on the Place Saint-Jean-de-Latran in 1588. In 1589, the obelisk of Augustus was in turn moved to Piazza del Popolo.
Today ,the Circo Massimo is on a grassy valley that is used for major events such as concerts, popular gatherings like the celebration of Italy’s victory at the 2006 World Cup with a million people, or giant outdoor cinema sessions.
We came to it first on the metro line B and walking by it saw it by chance!! However, directions to get here are easy, there is the Metro, line B (stop Circo Massimo). The Tramway line 3 (stop Aventino/Circo Massimo). And the many bus lines passing by such as the 51, 75, 118, 81, 85, 87, 118, 160, 186, 626, 673, 810, and N2 nighttime bus.
Some webpages to help you plan your trip here are:
The Rome tourist office on the Circo Massimo: https://www.turismoroma.it/en/node/1047
The Rome cultural webpage on the Circo Massimo: http://www.sovraintendenzaroma.it/i_luoghi/roma_antica/monumenti/circo_massimo
The Tutto Italy or all on Italy webpage with a map on the Circo Massimo or any other monument usuful me think: https://www.tuttocitta.it/mappa/roma/circo-massimo
There you go folks, now you are all set for a wonderful time in Rome and the Circus Maximus or in Italian Circo Massimo. Hope you have enjoy the brief tour.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 