Colosseum: Rainbows Only Appear After the Rain

I kept an eye on the Italian weather forecast during my European trip, and the days I planned to spend in Rome were consistently rainy, which was disappointing. I arrived in Rome in the evening, and the forecast predicted cloudy skies the next afternoon 🌤️, so I adjusted my plans to save this rare sunshine for the Colosseum. Although it wasn't peak tourist season, the number of visitors didn't seem to have decreased. I missed out on many attractions during this trip because I didn't book or buy tickets in advance. To avoid further delays, I booked tickets in advance through Trip.com. I was a bit careless and underestimated the scale and content of the attractions, so I chose a late entry time, which made my visit a bit rushed. Tickets: The Colosseum ticket includes three parts: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. The Colosseum ticket has a designated entry time, with a margin of error depending on the number of visitors. When it's crowded, the time is strictly enforced, usually within 15 minutes, so it's important to be on time. The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill require security checks, which can take up some of your visiting time. Arriving at the Colosseum, the visual impact was stunning, exceeding my expectations. The Roman era occupied a long period in human history, creating a splendid culture and leaving behind countless treasures. The towering buildings have endured the erosion of wind and rain. The arches, corridors, and every stone tell of their former glory. The elliptical arena is surrounded by stands, which seem to be divided into sections, probably a product of the class divisions between nobles and commoners in that era. Tourists record today's scene with their cameras, and the hustle and bustle seem to transport people back to the bloody gladiatorial arena, where gladiators armed with weapons and shields, or ferocious beasts, engaged in mortal combat. Regardless of the outcome, both sides paid a price in blood. Today, although the building represents civilization, the gladiatorial combat itself was barbaric, which should give humanity pause for thought. Civilization should be the ultimate goal of human pursuit. The clouds began to disperse as I left the Colosseum. With not much time left before sunset, I quickened my pace and entered the adjacent Roman Forum. Although only ruins remain, I could still feel the bustling prosperity of the ancient Roman city and the affluent life of its people. The standing Roman columns, carved stones, and fragments of exquisite sculptures and buildings all display the former cityscape and the emperor's luxury. The remaining temples bear witness to the worship of deities in ancient Rome and the Romans' hopes for divine protection. This culture and faith have been passed down and continued in this land. Watching the setting sun, I hurriedly ended my visit to the Roman Forum and rushed to Palatine Hill. Ascending Palatine Hill, I overlooked the Roman Forum from above. The setting sun shone through the gaps in the clouds, injecting vitality into the earth. The surrounding Roman Forum and distant buildings were cloaked in a golden coat, their colors constantly changing with the drifting clouds. Occasionally, a light rain fell from the sky, and suddenly a rainbow appeared, eliciting gasps from the tourists. I was also excited. After intermittent rain throughout the day, a rainbow finally appeared in the evening, fulfilling the old saying, "Rainbows only appear after the rain." The Colosseum is the most important attraction in Rome and a must-see for tourists. After seeing it, I didn't know how to express my feelings; I was filled with emotion. Constructing such buildings in that era would be extremely difficult even today, yet these magnificent structures are associated with barbaric gladiatorial combat. This shows that from technology to ideology and culture, human evolution and the pursuit of civilization have never stopped. The Colosseum, or rather the three-part attraction, can be visited together. Book tickets in advance and allow at least half a day. Transportation is convenient, with direct subway access. Save the evening for Palatine Hill. Even if you don't have tickets, the exterior of the Colosseum and the free viewing platforms around the Roman Forum will offer a rewarding experience, making your trip worthwhile.