“The heart of Rome is not the marble of the Senate, but the sand of the Colosseum”. The 10276 LEGO Colosseum set has arrived.
Ready to recreate the Amphitheatrum Flavium, the largest and most majestic amphitheater in the world ? Consisting of 9,036 pieces, it is the largest LEGO set ever produced (steals the podium from LEGO Star Wars # 75192 Millennium Falcon, with 1,495 more pieces).
Alberto Angela explains: the Colosseum stands up for two thousand years, yet it was built in less than ten. How was this possible? Thanks to a trick. Vespasian's engineers repeated over and over again something they knew how to do very well, namely the bow. In practice, it is as if several aqueducts had been superimposed ... in this way the forces are discharged perfectly to the ground.
The LEGO model presents a reconstruction of the three distinct stories of the Colosseum, each of which adorned with the Doric orders, Ionic and Corinthian columns, which have been faithfully recreated in bricks through the use of various construction techniques, such as the capitals recreated using the skids of the inverted Minifigures (and printed in tan color).
Every detail of the set has been meticulously crafted to remain faithful to the actual Colosseum - including the inclusion of 80 'ribs' in the spectator stands (the same number as the original) and the presence of three different color shades of the bricks to replicate both the different columns that the aging of the royal monument built nearly 2,000 years ago. The building experience was designed to match that of the original, with the brick "wooden" arena being the last module to be placed on the LEGO model, as was the case for the real one in the 1990s.
The model rests on an oval base, allowing this phenomenal 360 degree display piece to be displayed from any angle. Builders will then be able to choose which side of this magnificent brick-built Amphitheatrum Flavium they want to show first, whether it's the south side of the building, which has been destroyed by various earthquakes and natural disasters over the years, or whether it's the more complete north wall. The Colosseum is characterized by arches, which have been recreated with details in LEGO bricks that allow you to see the central part also from the outside, just like its real counterpart.
The LEGO Designer of the set, Rok Zgalin Kobe , Said:
“One of the biggest challenges and one of the most important things was to convey the monumentality of the Colosseum in LEGO bricks. I thought that the LEGO model should show a particular architectural feature of the original: the rows of columns that flank the arches in different styles. To achieve this, the model is built using a vertical exaggeration effect. The cross section is therefore much steeper than the actual structure. I hope people will be inspired to learn more about the original through the experience of building the LEGO model. ”
LEGO 18 Plus set # 10276 Colosseum measures over 10 '' (27cm) high, 52 '' (52cm) wide and 59 '' cm deep and will go on sale at a price of € 499.99.
The set will hit shelves November 27, during Black Friday and offers in the LEGO (Certified) Store and LEGO Shop @ Home . VIP members of LEGO Shop @ Home who purchase the exclusive model during the Black Friday (and Cyber Monday) weekend will receive a limited edition gift with the purchase, a Roman carriage, which can be displayed next to the Colosseum. Black Friday promotions include a number of other offers, including an exclusive free gift from Charles Dickens, a Holiday Tree gift (both tied to a minimum order amount), discounts on selected items, a chance to win 1,000,000 VIP points and the exclusive launch of VIP rewards over the weekend!
Despite having earned the title of the largest set ever produced, our Amphitheatrum Flavium is not the first historical or national monument to hit the shelves in form of LEGO bricks. Let's discover its predecessors together.
The landmark sets
Let's talk about the sets that represent historical or national monuments, on a large scale and with a level of detail much, much higher than what we can find (for example) in sets of the LEGO Architecture line. The LEGO designers have “traveled” all over the world for inspiration: India, Australia, United Kingdom, France and Italy are the countries from which these exhibition sets “come”. Let's take the same trip too!France, LEGO Creator Expert # 10181 Eiffel Tower
The LEGO brick model of the Eiffel Tower is a great model to build and to exhibit. Designed in 1: 300 scale from the original plans of the real tower. From the flag to the top of the elevators, it was meant to be as authentic as possible. Once built, the Eiffel Tower is 108cm high and the base measures 50cm x 50cm. It can be “disassembled” into 3 sections for easier transport and storage.
»Click here to buy set # 10181 (on eBay.it)
India, LEGO Creator Expert # 10189 Taj Mahal
The famous Indian monument of the Taj Mahal is known around the world for its incredible beauty and elegance. Designed for experienced builders, the LEGO Creator Expert # 10189 Taj Mahal model features advanced construction techniques, rare elements and colors, and realistic architectural details. With over 5,900 pieces, the set includes the base, minarets, domes, endings, arches and stairs in the front, assembles in 3 sections for easy transport. It measures over 51cm wide and over 41cm high.
»Click here to buy set # 10189 (on eBay.com)
India, LEGO Creator Expert # 10256 Taj Mahal
Yes, in 2016 the LEGO Group "reprinted" the above set # 10189, and like the original it includes the 4 facades with arches and arched windows , the central dome, the raised platform with recessed arches, the 4 secondary domed chambers and the 4 minarets, all topped with decorative finishes. It can be divided into 7 modular sections for easier handling. Fun fact: this new (reprint) version of set # 10189 includes ONE more piece than the previous one (5,923 instead of 5,922).
»Click here to buy set # 10256 (on LEGO Shop @ Home)
United Kingdom, LEGO Creator Expert # 10214 Tower Bridge
London's famous Tower Bridge, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, occupies its position on the Thames since 1894. The LEGO brick Tower Bridge is complete with its iconic towers and a working drawbridge. The sections lock securely together, but can be disassembled individually for easier transport. The complete model measures 102cm long, 45cm high and 26cm wide.
»Click here to buy set # 10214 (on amazon.it)
Australia , LEGO Creator Expert # 10234 Sidney Opera House
The set reproduces in LEGO bricks one of the most characteristic buildings of the 20th century: the Sydney Opera House. Made unmistakable by its clamshell roofline, waterfront location and more, it is Australia's most iconic building. Made with a variety of new and advanced construction techniques, it recreates the complex shapes, angled walls and subtle details of the real building!
»Click here to buy set # 10234 (on amazon.it)
United Kingdom, LEGO Creator Expert # 10253 Big Ben
The set reproduces one of London's best-known landmarks: Big Ben. The grandeur of the 96-meter neo-Gothic Elizabeth Tower with the adjacent East Wing of the Palace of Westminster, including the sculptural facade with windows, statues and shields, the iconic clock tower with its gilded spiers and intricacies details, the Ayrton Light, and 4 beautifully crafted clock faces with movable hour and minute hands. All of this was reproduced with LEGO bricks, including the ability to access the Big Ben bell by removing the top of the tower. The built model measures 60cm high, 44cm wide and 20cm deep.
»Click here to buy set # 10253 (on amazon.it)
Regno Kingdom, LEGO Creator Expert # 10272 Old Trafford - Manchester United
London's famous Tower Bridge, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, has held its position on the Thames since 1894. Tower Bridge in LEGO bricks is complete with its iconic towers and a working drawbridge. The sections lock securely together, but can be disassembled individually for easier transport. The complete model measures 102cm long, 45cm high and 26cm wide.
»Click here to buy set # 10272 (at LEGO Shop @ Home)
