Long one of Rome’s most iconic tourist stops, travelers are now being offered an opportunity to explore the Colosseum in an entirely new light, quite literally.

Roma Experience has just launched moonlight tours of the ancient amphitheater, which dates back to about 72 AD.

 

In addition to providing a chance to see inside the Colosseum by the light of the moon, the new tour allows access to areas not available during the day, such as the arena stage and the underground dungeons, Roma Experience said in a statement.

Already one of the company’s most popular offerings, the Colosseum Under the Moon tour allows visitors to experience the beautiful and immensely popular landmark like a VIP. Rome's Colosseum attracts about four million visitors every year, but the exclusive Roma Experience night tour takes place after the attraction has been closed to the general public for the day, providing a crowd-free visit. In addition, the new tour size is limited to just 25 participants.

The small group size is designed to ensure participants feel immersed in the tour and are able to hear and interact with the tour guide easily.

Beyond the Colosseum, the tour includes several other popular stops in Rome such as the Piazza Venezia square, the Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill and Via dei Fori Imperiali.

At the Colosseum, a guard will provide the group with special access to the arena’s main wooden stage, offering a gladiator’s view of the ancient structure not much unlike the way it would have appeared some 2,000 years ago.

Next, it’s off to the underground dungeons, an area where animals and gladiators waited before a fight. Tour participants will be given a glimpse of how the ancient Roman games were managed, including insight about the iconic trap door and elevator system that was used to raise animals and gladiators to the main arena.

Prices for the new Colosseum Under the Moon tour start at about $76 (65 euros).