Tourists will soon be able to get a gladiator's eye view of the Roman Colosseum.

The dungeons under the world's most famous fighting arena and its upper third tier, are to be open up to the public. Let's get there before the rush.

Tourists will be able to imagine the roar of lions and clashing of gladiators' swords when they visit the expanded sections of Rome's Colosseum.

The dungeons of the 80 A.D. Roman amphitheater have never been open for public viewing. However, recent restoration work, and the need for more space at the Colosseum, has led Italy's Heritage Ministry to allow larger areas to be available to the public.

Director of the Colosseum Rossella Rea said that some 18,000 people pass through the Colosseum every day. In this limited space, there is not enough room for everyone to be able to view the monument in an enjoyable fashion.

After reconstruction work is completed, an upper third tier balcony will be opened to the public on Friday and also part of the underground chambers will be accessible.

Rosella Rea, Director of Colosseum, said, "It won't provide a replica of how it was in ancient Rome, it wasn't a terrace then it would have been two vaulted corridors, quite dark. The other area is part of the dungeons that have never been opened to the public. It is the first time people will have the possibility to go down into the places where the games and shows were organized."

The bowels of the Colosseum were used to house wild beasts before they were transported by lifts up to the central fighting arena. Underground passageways also led to gladiatorial fighting schools and others were used for the removal of corpses.

Built by the Roman emperor Vespasian, the amphitheater could seat 50,000 spectators who would gather to watch gladiatorial contests, mock battles and sometimes executions. The upper third tier was used to support canopies that provided shade for the spectators.

Tourists from all over the world come to Rome to visit the Colosseum, which is one of Italy's most popular monuments.

Gabriel Hodach, American Tourist, said, "I'm looking forward to seeing the other two areas to see the vantage point and the architecture excellence in the building."

Over four million people have so far visited the Colosseum this year and the Italian Ministry for Culture believes that the interest in the amphitheater could grow even further with the addition of the new areas open to the public.

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