Verona amphitheater (Arena di Verona) description and photos - Italy: Verona (Topic)

Verona amphitheater (Arena di Verona) description and photos - Italy: Verona. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Arena di Verona.

Photo and description

The Verona Amphitheater, located in the city's main square, Piazza Bra, is the third largest antique amphitheater built in the era of Ancient Rome and one of the best preserved. Historians date this structure around 30 AD: then it consisted of 4 elliptical rings, and was lined with white and pink limestone. Its current facade is made of stone, river pebbles and bricks. In 2000, the Verona amphitheater was listed as a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

About two thousand years ago on this stage, which accommodated more than 30 thousand people, fierce gladiatorial battles, navmachia sea battles and circus performances were held. Unfortunately, a strong earthquake in 1117 almost completely destroyed the outer wall of the amphitheater. However, the role of the arena in the life of the city did not diminish: in the Middle Ages, demonstrative executions of heretics, knightly tournaments and festivals were held here, and a little later - battles with bulls. Finally, with the advent of the 20th century, the amphitheater became the main venue for opera performances in Verona, which is attended by more than half a million people every year! The first production was Aida by Giuseppe Verdi, which has become a kind of hallmark of the new theater scene. Since then, legendary opera performers Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Renata Tebaldi and other world stars have performed here. It also hosts concerts of pop stars. Until recently, the capacity of the amphitheater was 20 thousand spectators, but for security reasons it was reduced to 15 thousand.

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Topic: Verona amphitheater (Arena di Verona) description and photos - Italy: Verona.