The Colosseum, Rome, Italy

This massive Roman amphitheater has a sordid and bloody past. Built between 70-72 A.D, the Colosseum was a gift to the Roman people from Emporer Vespasian. What is now a major tourist destination used to be a site of carnage that hosted deadly gladiator and wild animal fights for the people’s amusement. For 4 centuries, the arena was a source of entertainment until finally, people’s tastes changed and the Colosseum fell into disrepair. Despite now missing two-thirds of the original structure, the Colosseum still attracts millions of tourists every year eager to see one of the marvels of the ancient Roman empire.