Colosseum vs Opera house

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The Colosseum ( KOL-?-SEE-?m), also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio [a?fite?a?tro ?fla?vjo] or Colosseo [kolos?s??o]), is an oval amphitheatre in the middle of the city of Rome, Italy. Constructed of travertine limestone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced concrete, it was the largest amphitheatre ever constructed at the time and held 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. The Colosseum is just east of the Roman Forum. Construction started under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72 and was completed in AD 80 beneath 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 because of its association with their family name (Flavius). The Colosseum could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points of its history over the centuries, having a typical audience of some 65,000; it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles (for only a short time as the hypogeum was soon filled in with mechanisms to support the other activities), animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on mythology.

The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval age. It was later reused for such functions as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.Although substantially destroyed because of earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is still an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and is recorded among the New7Wonders of the World. It's one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and also has connections to the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit'Way of the Cross' procession that starts in the region around the Colosseum.The Colosseum is also portrayed on the Italian version of the five-cent euro coin.

Source: Wikipedia

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The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts Center at Sydney Harbour in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

It is among the 20th century's most famous and distinctive buildings.Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, but completed by an Australian architectural group headed up by Peter Hall, the building was officially opened on 20 October 1973 after a gestation beginning with Utzon's 1957 choice as winner of an international design competition. The Government of New South Wales, led by the premier, Joseph Cahill, authorised work to start in 1958 with Utzon directing construction. The government's decision to construct Utzon's design is often overshadowed by conditions that followed, including cost and scheduling overruns as well as the architect's ultimate resignation.The building and its surrounds occupy all of Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour, between Sydney Cove and Farm Cove, adjacent to the Sydney central business district and the Royal Botanic Gardens, and close by the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The construction comprises multiple performance venues, which together host well over 1,500 performances annually, attended by over 1.2 million people. Performances are presented by numerous performing artists, including three resident companies: Opera Australia, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. As one of the most popular visitor attractions in Australia, the website is visited by over eight million people annually, and approximately 350,000 visitors take a guided tour of the building each year. The building is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust, an agency of the New South Wales State Government. On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been listed on the (now defunct) Register of the National Estate since 1980, the National Trust of Australia register since 1983, the City of Sydney Heritage Inventory since 2000, the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2003, and the Australian National Heritage List as 2005. Moreover, the Opera House was a finalist at the New7Wonders of Earth campaign list.

Source: Wikipedia