Colosseum & Prison of St. Peter

Visit the famous Mamertine Prison and learn about the captivating life of St. Peter who was held prisoner here before his crucifixion, followed by a journey through the Colosseum in the footsteps of Gladiators of Rome who killed and survived, or died for the entertainment of the masses!

What We Love About This Tour: 

• Skip-the-line access means you bypass queues at the Colosseum AND Roman Forum

• So many takeaways! Learn the meaning of “Caput Mundi,” what’s all the fuss about a she-wolf, and why is St. Peter so important in Roman History? 

• A fully guided tour preceded by an interactive video guide provide the best of both worlds

Itinerary

Begin your tour with one of the most fascinating yet little known sites of Ancient Rome just a few steps from the forum. Present your PDF ticket at the entrance and enjoy a visit with a multimedia video guide to the 7th century BC Mamertine Prison where according to early Christian tradition, Emperor Nero ordered the incarceration of Saints Peter and Paul prior to their execution. View the altar that commemorates the imprisonment of the two saints as well as the remains of the ancient cistern where St. Peter reputedly baptized his fellow captives.  

After a short break, meet your guide just steps from the Colosseum where you’ll want to take some pictures of the spectacular view before we descend to the entrance. 

Enjoy fast track entry to the vast arena, the Icon of Rome built in 72ad to seat up to 50,000 spectators. Once inside, your guide will paint an accurate picture of the Gladiator games that took place in the Roman Empire’s most impressive arena, helping you to decipher between fact, fiction, and the images portrayed by big-screen Hollywood blockbusters.

After walking around the perimeter of the Colosseum, gaze down onto the arena floor and beneath to the maze-like underground level where man and beast awaited their moment of glory or met their fateful death. 

Follow your guide outside the arena and travel even further back in time as you enter the Roman Forum, the true heart of Ancient Rome with monuments dating as far back as the 7th century BC. Learn of the legendary founding of Rome on the Palatine hill and how a she-wolf rescued and nursed the young twins Romulus (the first King of Rome) and Remus after they washed up on the banks of the Tiber River, and how these famous twins would pave the way for future tyrants, Emperors, and even Caesars who declared themselves Gods throughout the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

Tour offered:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

Duration:    Approx. 3.5 hours  (2.5 hours guided, 30 minutes with video guide, break in-between)

What’s Included:  

• Priority access tickets to the Colosseum 
• Fully guided tour inside the Colosseum and Roman Forum
• Entry tickets and video guide to the Mamertine Prison
• Small groups of max 15 participants

Not Included: 

• Hotel pickup and dropoff 
• Live guide inside the Mamertine Prison
• Gratuities
• Personal extras 

Important to Know:

• The start time advertised is the start time for your guided Colosseum tour. Your visit to the Mamertine Prison will occur earlier in the day (approx. 1:30pm)
  
• The ground in the Roman Forum is composed of large stone or dirt pathways that can be difficult to navigate with strollers or wheelchairs -Contact us to determine the best way to visit Ancient Rome with small children or guests confined to wheelchairs
• Only small bags or purses are allowed in the Colosseum. No large bags or weapons allowed, and there is no cloakroom available
• Tour departs rain or shine

Important to Bring: 

• Comfortable shoes for walking 
• A hat and sunblock during summer months 
• Water

Covid-19 compliance: For the most accurate and up-to-date information click here. 

• In accordance with Italian Covid-19 safety regulations, all guests ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of Vaccination (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson or AstraZeneca) or a negative Covid-test taken within 48 hours of the tour.
• Please note that due to current local Covid-19 measures, all customers will be required to bring and wear a mask during the entire visit.

Terms and conditions:

• Changes and cancellation are possible free of charge up to 96 hours before the start time. If the desired change involves a tour of greater value, the balance will be due upon rebooking.
• Any cancellations made within 96 hours and no-shows are non-refundable.
• Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult to join a tour or an activity.
• See https://www.italiadeals.com/terms for complete terms and conditions