3248 ITALY (Lazio) - Second Postcrossing Meetup in Rome, 2 January 2018 - Colosseum

The italian postcrossers wanted to be the first ones this year, so they organized on 2 January the first meetup of this year. They met in Rome, at the Subway Station Piramide (Line B), and after that they went to Caffe Letterario, in Via Ostiense 95, to write and sign postcards. The postcard issued to mark this event depicted Colosseum to the transition between years (named by Italians La Festa di San Silvestro), with fireworks in the background. A nice, well-chosen photography.

The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre constructed during the Roman Empire, built to seat 60,000 spectators. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72, and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81-96). These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named in Latin for its association with their family name (Amphitheatrum Flavium - the Flavian Amphitheatre).

The Colosseum was used to host gladiatorial shows as well as a variety of other events. It is generally regarded by Christians as a site of the martyrdom of large numbers of believers during the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, as evidenced by Church history and tradition. Although partially ruined because of damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers, it is still an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura

About the stamps

The first stamp is part of the series The 100th Anniversary of the Alpine Corps, designed by E. Tomei, and issued on May 10, 1971.
• 25 L
• 50 L - It's on the postcard 3248
• 90 L

The second stamp is part of the series The 100th Anniversary of the Tridentine Alpinist Society, designed by A. Quieti, and issued on September 2, 1972.
• 25 L
• 50 L - It's on the postcard 3248
• 80 L

The last stamp is part of the series Italian Squares, about which I wrote here.

Sender: Raluca Istrate and the Italian postcrossers who participated to the Postcrossing Meetup which held in Rome on January 2, 2018.
Sent from Rome (Rome / Italy) on 03.01.2018