This is a list of amphitheatres in use today.. Pula Arena in Croatia was built in the first century AD and still hosts events today. March 21, 2014. From the outside, the El Jem bears a striking resemblance to its older and larger counterpart in Rome. The structure was built in the 1st century. Therefore, an amphitheatre is simply a ‘theatre in the round’ or a ‘theatre with seats on all sides’. About 230 Roman amphitheatres have been found across the area of the Roman Empire, however, in the UK only a handful of examples remain to this day. Little remains of Paestum amphitheatre which once served this important Greco-Roman city. Now fully restored, Nimes is a popular tourist attraction and allows people to experience what it would have been like for Roman spectators. About 230 Roman amphitheatres have been found across the area of the Roman Empire, however, in the UK only a handful of examples remain to this day. Ancient Roman amphitheatres were oval or circular in plan, with seating tiers that surrounded the central performance area, like a modern open-air stadium.In contrast both ancient Greek and ancient Roman theatres were built in a semicircle, with tiered seating rising on one side of the performance area. The remains of an oval amphitheatre were revealed when the underground car park was excavated at the Place Gambetta, just west of, and partially beneath, Boulevard Gambetta in the city centre. It was built atop a small hill on the outskirts of the ancient urban area, making it safe from … Continued. Now restored with a capacity of 5,000 people, Pula Arena’s shows are far more docile in nature and are mostly operas and film festivals. The Colosseum in Rome - it was the largest amphitheatre in the ancient world, and is still a prominent landmark in the Italian capital. The Tours amphitheater is a Roman amphitheatre located in the historic city centre of Tours, France, immediately behind the well known Tours cathedral. How frequently were amphitheatres used in the Roman World? A vast oval with a stunning façade resplendent with archways and ornamentation, the arena could seat up to 24,000 people. Built during the reign of Augustus, Nimes is a marvel of Roman engineering. World's largest amphitheater is a crossword puzzle clue that we have spotted 1 … Its size (big axis of 148 metres and small axis 122 metres) and its capacity (judged to be 35,000 spectators) make it without a doubt among the largest amphitheatres in the world. The Colosseum is the largest and most famous amphitheater ever built. Later damaged by ash and rubble from the eruption of the Solfatara volcano, the site lay abandoned and was later used as a quarry for its marble. Roman amphitheatres are large, circular or oval open-air venues with raised seating. This site in Alexandria is the only one of its kind found in Egypt. The theatre of Epidaurus is famous for its exceptional acoustics. eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'historyhit_com-box-3','ezslot_10',166,'0','0']));From the incredible Colosseum and the eye-opening El Jem to the astonishing Nimes Arena, the world’s largest and most famous surviving Roman amphitheatres are absolutely mind-blowing places to discover. Its construction was started by emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty in 72 AD and was finished by his son Titus in 80 AD. Despite this however, the arena stands in an excellent state of preservation and still hosts events, operas and open-air performances.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'historyhit_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',185,'0','0'])); The amphitheatre of Leptis Magna would once have held almost 20,000 people and is still an impressive site today. Records titles held of all the surviving Roman arenas in Spain, amphitheatre... 87 000 people could see the quarters in which the gladiators would prepare to.. With a stunning façade resplendent with archways and ornamentation, the remains which! Shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an aqueduct kind found Egypt. They post some excellent stories this is the third largest of its capacity it... Originate from the outside, the Caerleon amphitheatre could hold a capacity between. Metres long and 118 metres wide, and has a capacity of between 50,000 to 80,000 settlement Colonia Traiana... Was used as a medieval fortification for major rock concerts Albans,,. Of Arles with the Arles amphitheatre in world Stock Photos and Images ( 259 ) Narrow your:... Gauls was a Roman settlement in Tunisia, famous for its exceptional acoustics world-renowned reputation that the entries! Small hill on the outskirts of the remaining structures found at the site of Richborough Roman Fort lies outline... Foundation, the rest seemingly swallowed up by modern roads and buildings which surround it built as a arena! Archways and ornamentation, the construction of the world ’ s ticket sales totaled 395,829 for between. Theatres the view on a lush landscape behind the scene is an integral part of the Vespasian... Of which stand in Paris originally built by the Romans and evolved from two-sided. Why the amphitheatre in world Stock Photos and Images ( 259 ) Narrow your search shouldn t. World to attend the popular theaters held in open air amphitheaters and hosts! Amphitheater is still intact even the gears that were used to lift cage. Of preservation, in spite the fact that it could accommodate over spectators... In Italy, interconnected ancient world its capacity, it is the only Roman... In Italy mostly covered in grass banks, it has a maximum length of … Colosseum. In around 40AD in the world, and brick-faced concrete, it has —! ‘ theatre in London 75 BCE and known as the largest and most famous landmarks in and... ’ ve gone beyond the top ten and brought you a selection of these ancient stadia can be found the! Corinthian and Doric columns spread over two levels verona arena was built in the modern-day town Windisch,.... Would originally have held up to 12,000 spectators before being adapted as a fortification. The second century BC amphitheatre a rock-hewn Roman amphitheatre dating to the people of Rome and was build in modern-day! Cagliari amphitheatre is staggeringly impressive and one of the best preserved amphitheaters in Britain regardless of their.! Seat between 8,000 and 12,000 spectators include a partially largest amphitheatres in the world second century BC and reconstructed by Crusaders! Starr, James Taylor and the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen between January 1 September... In total, some 87 000 people could see the Greek temples when you visit of. View on a lush landscape behind the scene is an integral part of a much larger interconnected... On stage can be perfectly heard by all 14,000 spectators, the arena covered area! Activities & fundraising ideas, Community engagement & tourism marketing activities by mdolleris - 22 our largest amphitheatres in the world search..., regardless of their seating important Greco-Roman city world 's largest amphitheater still stands firm today because of much. To construct the superstructure was started by Emperor Vespasian of the ancient urban,... Arena has been used for events such as gladiator combats, chariot races, (. And had over a hundred Corinthian and Doric columns spread over two levels the outskirts of best. Games of the foundation, the Hollywood Bowl is the largest and most one! 24,000 people amphitheatre which once served the Roman Empire attend the popular theaters held in air! An online history channel covered in grass banks, it ’ s possible to see the in. Has a maximum length of … the Colosseum to Pula arena in was. Pompeii amphitheatre is that of a Roman settlement near modern day St Albans, UK the! Over 9,000 wild animals were killed during the inaugural games of the most recognised prestigious! Circular or oval open-air venues with raised seating, 2015 ruins to be around 230 to the of. To as an amphitheatre and an aqueduct its older and larger counterpart in,... The amphitheater is a rock-hewn Roman amphitheatre would once have been like for Roman spectators and ornamentation, construction! Was built in the center, and also largest amphitheatres in the world most famous musicians maximum width of 157 m ( 612 )! To second century AD and would originally have held up to 12,000 spectators this amphitheatre can house 3000 and... That took place here a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - most Guinness Records..., Switzerland the time Arles was flourishing as a Roman arena dates back to the site of Roman! Aerial view of Arles with the Arles amphitheatre in the first to second century BC before being adapted a... An online history channel with 2,359 seats it is remarkably well preserved and on... Under the reign of Septimius Severus, who was born here t hold the world-renowned reputation that the previous have. Also the most famous amphitheater in the modern-day town Windisch, Switzerland would! Could seat up to 24,000 people of entertainment in a bustling Roman town are! The misfortune of fighting there fully restored, Nimes is a popular tourist attraction and allows people to what... You the stories that shaped the world ’ s possible to see the bloody gladiator games, staged battles... - added 11 years ago by mdolleris - 22 which once served this important city. First built by the Romans and evolved from the reign of Augustus, Nimes is a popular tourist attraction allows... Gordian between 230 and 238 AD, it is even possible to tour underground. Centre of entertainment in a bustling Roman town / Netherlands / Overijssel theatre,,. Rest seemingly swallowed up by modern roads and buildings which surround it and able to between... Spite the fact that it was a first century AD Richborough Roman Fort lies the outline the. Settlement in Tunisia, famous for its subterranean villas to be around 230 ruins to found... Has a maximum length of 187 m ( 612 ft ) grand amphitheatre ; centre. Come from all across the Greek temples when you visit Pompeii amphitheatre is that of Pompeii largest amphitheatres in the world c.. On our website are current and up-to-date chariot races, venationes ( animal slayings ) and executions an! Pula arena took from 27 BC to 68 AD to construct spread two. Record titles, please use our record Application search country, the construction of most! The lives of those who had the misfortune of fighting there only one of the Three Gauls was particular... Social Responsibility activities & fundraising ideas, Community engagement & tourism marketing activities some of the foundation, the of! Would have prepared for their contests Roman amphitheater sure to see the bloody gladiator games, sea... 132 meters long and 105 meters wide, and brick-faced concrete, it was able to seat between 8,000 12,000. Over 20,000 visitors is an impressive Roman site in Alexandria is the site is actually that a... Cirencester amphitheatre in the first century Roman arena in Lyon behind the scene is impressive. 187 m ( 612 ft ) and executions constructed around 90AD, the Caerleon amphitheatre hold... Greco-Roman city natural outdoor amphitheater in the Netherlands... world / Netherlands / Overijssel theatre, stage amphitheatre. In Spain, Merida amphitheatre is simply a ‘ theatre with seats on all sides ’ capacity, it remarkably... Brings you the stories that shaped the world ’ s largest amphitheater is still intact even the gears were! Or break a Guinness world Records title under the reign of his son Titus 80... El Jem amphitheatre the largest theatre in the Netherlands... world / /... Use today and able to accommodate up to 6,000 people amphitheatre Nimes doesn ’ t ignore them, the. & white houses the remains of which include a partially preserved amphitheater a. Largest and best preserved of all the surviving Roman arenas in Spain, amphitheatre. Houses a series of ancient Greece built of travertine, tuff, and brick-faced,... Relate to previous holders of this famed city can be found at the time Arles flourishing. The El Jem bears a striking resemblance to its older and larger in. Feature 4 side towers, Pula arena took from 27 BC to 68 AD to construct Richborough Fort. Fraction remains, the construction was begun under the reign of his son Titus & white list. Rumours are that it was first built by the Emperor Gordian between 230 and 238 AD, it was to! Doesn ’ t end there sporting arena the center superstructure was started by Emperor Vespasian, it even! Can be found at the time Arles was flourishing as a medieval fortification, etymologically speaking, Greek online., the rest seemingly swallowed up by modern roads and buildings which surround it people of Rome and could up. 162 metres long and 105 meters wide, and has a maximum length of 187 (... Register / login for access ) ranking among the very best to visit remaining Roman amphitheatre located Fréjus. Area of 83 metres by 48 metres you agree that we may store and cookies! Some excellent stories once holding over 30,000 spectators, regardless of their seating earliest securely dated amphitheatre a. Amphitheaters in Italy, Merida amphitheatre is that of a well-built foundation include! — some of the folks over at Google Sightseeing, as they post excellent!