Arcaded galleries
Roman corridors.
GFreihalter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · GFreihalter — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jean-Pol GRANDMONT — CC BY 4.0 · Tylwyth Eldar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rolf Kranz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jean-Pol GRANDMONT — CC BY 4.0
The Arles Amphitheatre is a Roman arena in the heart of the old town of Arles, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence in southern France, about 33 km in a straight line south of Avignon. It was built around 90 AD, soon after the Colosseum in Rome, and held more than 20,000 spectators for chariot races and gladiator games. The oval building measures 136 m by 109 m and has 120 arches on two levels. After the fall of Rome it became a fortress with four towers, and more than 200 houses and two chapels were built inside. The houses were cleared from 1826, when it became a historic monument. Visitors walk the arcaded galleries, climb the tiers and one of the medieval towers for views over the rooftops of Arles and the Rhône, and look down on the sandy arena, which still hosts shows and concerts in summer. The amphitheatre was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, with the other Roman and Romanesque monuments of Arles. The Roman theatre is a short walk away, and the two are easily seen on one visit.
Roman corridors.
Views over the town.
Summer shows.
Rond-Point des Arènes, Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
More than 20,000 spectators.
The Roman theatre, a short walk away.
