Originally capable of seating around 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.
As well as the gladiatorial games, other public spectacles were held there,
such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology.
The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era.
It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
Although in the 21st century it is in a ruined condition due to damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers,
the Colosseum is now an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.
It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church,
as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession to the amphitheatre.

The Colosseum is also depicted on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin.