Ever since we visited some of the most impressive amphitheatres in Europe, they have fascinated us. To think that these huge arenas were built around 2000 years ago! It's hard to believe that they didn't just build one or two, but that they existed. just everywhere around the Roman Empire. It's dizzying to think back, to say the least. We started thinking about which amphitheatres we had missed and which are the most famous Roman amphitheatres in the world?
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The world's most famous Roman amphitheatres
A Roman amphitheatre is a large circular arena, which in ancient times was used for various spectacles, such as gladiatorial games and animal fights. Remains of more than 230 (!) amphitheatres have been found throughout the Roman Empire.
Which are the world's most famous Roman amphitheatres is perhaps a little difficult to judge, but we've simply used a number of English-language lists found online. We count down, from number ten to number one. Have you seen any of these amphitheatres, or would you like to see any of them?
10th Uthina, Tunisia
Uthina, or Oudna, was an ancient Roman city located near Tunis in Tunisia. This amphitheatre, which was excavated in 1993, could accommodate about 16 000 spectators.
9. Pozzuoli, Italy
The amphitheatre at Pozzuoli, just outside Naples, is one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in Italy. The theatre, which was later buried in the ashes of a volcano, could accommodate over 20,000 spectators. Little remains of the upper rows, but cages where animals were held captive have been preserved.
8. leptis magna, Libya
In ancient times, Leptis Magna was an important Roman trading town on the coast of what is now Libya. After the economic crisis of the 20th century, the town was increasingly abandoned and in 523 it was sacked by Berbers. Today the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Roman amphitheatre dates from 56 AD and could accommodate about 16,000 spectators. Unlike most other amphitheatres, it was built underground.
7. Arles, France
The amphitheatre in Arles in the south of France could at one time accommodate over 20,000 spectators, seated on three levels. From 1830 to the present day, bullfighting has been organised in the arena, which doesn't seem too far removed from the bloody habits of the Romans ...
6. Nimes, France
The amphitheatre in Nimes, France, could at one time accommodate 24 000 seated spectators. In the Middle Ages, a fortified palace was built within the walls of the amphitheatre and in the 19th century it began to be used for bullfighting. Today it is still used for both bullfighting and concerts.
5th Pompeii, Italy
In 79 AD, the volcano Vesuvius had its infamous eruption, burying the city of Pompeii and preserving it for posterity. The amphitheatre in Pompeii was built in 70 BC, making it one of the oldest in the world. It could accommodate around 20,000 visitors, the equivalent of the entire population of the city.
4. Pula, Croatia
Amphitheatre in Pula, or Arena as it is commonly known, is one of the best preserved ancient monuments in Croatia and once held 26,000 spectators. Today the amphitheatre is used for many different festivals and events.
3. Verona, Italy
The amphitheatre in Verona is one of the largest in the world. The outer ring was almost completely destroyed during a major earthquake in 1117, but the inner part is still well preserved. This amphitheatre could once accommodate 30,000 spectators. In ancient times it hosted gladiatorial fights, in the Middle Ages tournaments and today it hosts opera performances.
2. El Djem, Tunisia
The Roman the amphitheatre in El Djem in Tunisia is the third largest in the world, after Rome's Colosseum and the largely destroyed theatre in the ancient Italian city of Capua. The amphitheatre in El Djem once held 35,000 spectators and was used to film some of the scenes in the film Gladiator.
1. the Colosseum in Rome, Italy
The Colosseum in Rome is the largest and most famous amphitheatre of the Roman Empire. This impressive amphitheatre held a maximum of 87,000 spectators and had no less than 80 entrances. The inaugural festival lasted 100 days, while 11,000 wild animals were killed ...
Curious about more top 10 lists on architecture? Read the Food and Travel blog's post on The world's longest bridges!
Fantasy Dining says:
How many there are. I have only visited one of them. And it's in Rome, of course!
10 April 2018 - 8:10
Helena says:
Yes, so many! I didn't realise there were so many before I started reading.
10 April 2018 - 9:35
Seija Viiitamäki-Carlsson says:
Good morning!
The Globe of the past. Ha-haa. We stayed three nights in the car park below the Pula Amphitheatre. It was so early in the season, so we got a long and free tour of the oil and wine cellar shops under the theatre. The guide had nothing to do. Wonderful city. Third morning in the car park, the guard didn't arrive until nine o'clock and charged us. Had learnt, when we woke up! Now there are probably more motorhomes there. Thank you again for your story. In Rome, Pompeii we have seen the theatres too.
10 April 2018 - 8:11
Helena says:
"Globen of the past" Yes, indeed! Great description! We also visited Pula's amphitheatre in low season (November), very convenient! How nice with the tour you got! 🙂
10 April 2018 - 9:37
Liniz Travel says:
Have only visited it in Rome! Did not know there were so many even! Hugs
10 April 2018 - 8:14
Helena says:
I didn't realise there were so many until I read up on it.
10 April 2018 - 9:37
Anette says:
I've seen 1, 4, 6 and 7 but would love to see them all.
Cool historic buildings.
10 April 2018 - 8:53
Helena says:
Glad you've seen these! The one in Nimes seems fantastic!
10 April 2018 - 9:38
Johnny Friskilä says:
Have been to Rome, as well as the one in El Djem, Tunisia. And the amphitheatre in El Djem was really spectacular. It really gave me a sense of grandeur, of history. The Colosseum in Rome felt more like anything. I have also visited the one in Djemila, Algeria, but it was not as impressive as El Djem.
10 April 2018 - 9:13
Helena says:
Glad you saw it in Djem! It seems incredibly cool, I want to see it 🙂.
10 April 2018 - 9:38
Ama de casa says:
I have seen the ones in Pompeii, Verona and Rome. Wouldn't mind seeing the others either 🙂 .
The one in Tarragona is not so bad either, and then I have to mention the one in Cartagena here 6 miles south of us (the first three were Italy, must not forget Spain... 😉 ).
Have a nice Tuesday!
10 April 2018 - 9:30
Helena says:
We have also seen the one in Tarragona! We liked Tarragona a lot, it literally felt like you were walking around on history there 😉.
10 April 2018 - 9:40
Anna, New York - My Bite of the Big Apple says:
Wow, so many! Cool to see. The
has "only" become the Colosseum for me. 🙂
10 April 2018 - 12:34
Helena says:
It's not "just" that ... but there are many!
11 April 2018 - 7:04
Maria says:
Yes, it gives perspective! I have seen numbers 1, 3, 6 and 7.
?
10 April 2018 - 13:02
Helena says:
I would also like to see the one in Nimes! Seems very well preserved!
11 April 2018 - 7:05
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
I had no idea there were so many. I've seen the ones in Rome, Verona and Pompeii, and now in early summer I might visit Pula.
It's cool to stand there and think about what happened in these places.
10 April 2018 - 14:23
Helena says:
I also didn't realise there were so many before I started reading up. The one in Pula is very nice and really worth a visit!
11 April 2018 - 7:06
Maggan and Ingemar says:
We are also fascinated by Roman buildings and have seen Pompeii and Pozzuoli as well as Olympia in Greece. One that impressed us was the Ruinas de Italica, just north of Seville in Spain. It is certainly impressive to see these buildings.
10 April 2018 - 15:07
Helena says:
We missed the one outside Seville, even though we were in Seville. As I said, there are many ...!
11 April 2018 - 7:07
Ditte says:
These Roman amphitheatres are certainly exciting! And I have seen most of them over the years; 1,2,3,4, 5,6,7 and 9. In Verona I also saw the opera Boheme performed in the amphitheatre. Unforgettably beautiful.
It's nice to have this summary because you don't often think about how many there are.
10 April 2018 - 15:52
Helena says:
Wow!!! It was not bad what you had time to do! But, we know by now that you are very busy 😉 El Djem in Tunisia I would like to see!
11 April 2018 - 7:08
Ann-Louise says:
Interesting post! Have visited 1 and 4 but would love to visit more of them.
10 April 2018 - 18:30
Helena says:
Glad you liked the post Ann-Louise!
11 April 2018 - 7:08
BP says:
I've done Arles, Pula and Rome, so there are a few left. But to be honest, I have to say that once you've seen one, you've seen them all. Sounds a bit mean, but that's how I feel.
10 April 2018 - 20:49
Helena says:
I know that this kind of sights are not your favourites 😉 Impressed that you still saw three of them! 🙂
11 April 2018 - 7:09
Lena - good for the soul says:
Wow! I had no idea there were so many! I visited the Colloseum as a child. I still remember it.
Hug Lena
11 April 2018 - 6:06
Helena says:
The Colosseum must be EVEN bigger when you are small ...! 😉
11 April 2018 - 7:10