Colosseum to open up highest level, the view of the lowly plebs

4 October 2017: The highest level of Rome's ancient Colosseum will be opened to the public for the first time in 40 years on November 1, Italy's culture minister said Tuesday.

Seats on the fifth level of the amphitheatre were once reserved for ancient Roman society's lowest commoner: the plebeian.

But the seats boasted a breathtaking view -- not only of the gladiator battles far below, but of the heart of the empire.

"It is an incredible view of the Colosseum and Rome, which the visitor will remember as one of the most beautiful things he has seen in his life," Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said at a media presentation on Tuesday.

Far below, tourists peering down into the maze of galleries in the monument's belly appear as tiny specks, showing just how far away the commoners were from the arena floor, where terrified prisoners were forced to fight wild beasts.

Those squeezed together on wooden benches had a long way to climb to get to their seats -- but the tickets were free. Once they were there spectators were protected by a large canvas from sudden downpours.
Visitors will have to book guided tours, which will take groups of a maximum of 25 people up into the gods level at a time.

They will start with an exceptionally well-preserved corridor between the second and third floors, where traces of the lavatories can still be seen, the Colosseum's director Rossella Rea said.