Circo Massimo

Having referenced Circo Massimo so many times in this blog, I figured I should finally dedicate a post to it!

So what was Circo Massimo exactly? Well, in case you’re wondering: no, it was never a “circus” in the sense that we know it today, although considering all the pomp and opulence of the Romans, one could only imagine what an incredible show that might have been. The “Circus” as the Romans knew it was used for entertainment though, and they certainly knew how to impress.

The history of Circo Massimo is almost as old as Roma itself. The Etruscans used the low-lying agricultural land for races to entertain the elite, and with Tarquinius Superbus, seating for the plebeians were added to allow everyone to view the events. During the Republic and Empire, the area was used for ludi, or public games. The festivities could have lasted a couple of hours to several days in length, but were always filled with important religious ceremonies, feasts, athletic events, drama/theatre, and parades. The most well known of these events was the chariot racing, which could have between 12 and 24 competitors in a single event. 

In addition to chariot racing, the arena was also used as an area for beast-hunting shows. The events usually included imported trees, raised wooden stages, and incredible animals from across the empire, such as elephants, bears, and leopards.

What visitors can’t see today are the incredible stands that used to hold up to 150,000 spectators. Circo Massimo was the biggest of Rome's circuses, even at the height of the Empire. If you visit Piazza del Popolo, you can still see one of the massive Egyptian obelisks that used to grace the median in the center of the track. The massive granite pillars survived over a thousand years of disastrous flooding, barbarian pillaging, earthquakes and general chaos during the fall and ruin of Rome until Pope Sixtus V removed them in 1587.

Today, Circo Massimo is more impressive for its size than anything else. It runs 621 meters (2,037 feet!) from the banks of the Tiber to just shy of the Baths of Caracalla. The field is situated between Aventine and Palatine Hills, and it has a dedicated metro stop for access to this thriving area of the city. There is easy access to many Roman ruins, great restaurants, and the Tiber. It has hosted a number of important events in modern times, from music festivals to World Cup victory celebrations.

TramTracks passes Circo Massimo every Monday on our tour of the Eternal City! While it might not look like much today, this monument is one of the oldest in Roma, and it is a great place for a picnic, a evening walk, or a run with your pet.