ROME - The Colosseum has extended opening hours at night this summer to allow more visitors to see the famous Roman amphitheatre in cooler temperatures after sunset.The night tours, which run until 11pm, are sold out and tourists on one visit this week spoke of a “magical” and “romantic” atmosphere in the illuminated monument.
“After sunset is a lot more comfortable,” Victor Li, 52, told AFP as he toured the arena and the underground passages where animals and gladiators were once held.
“It’s a good idea because it’s really hot in the morning and during the day,” said Svetlana Spielberg, visiting from the United States, adding that it was “really beautiful” and “more romantic” at night.
The Colosseum was already offering tours two nights a week but doubled that number to four this summer. Officials said some tourists were staying away because of the intensifying heatwaves in the Italian capital.
“The idea of doubling the night tours and doing them also on Fridays and Saturdays was mainly to give access to visitors that prefer cooler hours,” said Simone Quilici, director of the Colosseum complex.
