Anfiteatro Romano

Welcome to the heart of Catania, where the modern city pulses directly above the ruins of its ancient Roman past. Standing here in Piazza Stesicoro, you are looking down into the Anfiteatro Romano, a structure that was once one…

The first thing that strikes any visitor to the Catania amphitheater is its color. Most Roman ruins are characterized by the pale hues of travertine or marble, but here, the predominant material is the black and deep grey of…

To truly understand the Anfiteatro Romano, one must go beneath the surface. The portions of the amphitheater that are currently visible are primarily the 'ambulatories'—the vaulted corridors that ran beneath the seating tiers. …

The central part of the amphitheater—the arena floor where the action took place—remains largely buried beneath the surrounding buildings. However, through archaeological excavations, we know that it was elliptical in shape and…

In the Roman world, where you sat in the amphitheater was a direct reflection of your status in society. The 'cavea' was divided into three horizontal sections: the 'ima cavea' for the senatorial and equestrian classes, the…

The history of the Anfiteatro Romano was fundamentally altered on January 11, 1693, when a massive earthquake devastated eastern Sicily. Catania was almost entirely destroyed. …

Toward the northern end of the visible ruins, archaeologists have identified what was likely one of the main ceremonial entrances to the arena. This was where the gladiators would process before the start of the games,…

As we conclude our tour of the Anfiteatro Romano, take a final look down at the dark lava walls before you return to the bustle of Piazza Stesicoro. You have witnessed a site that is unique in the Roman world—an arena carved from…