Anfiteatro romano

This is the third most important Roman monument in Rimini. Built in the 2nd century AD, only a few traces remain today, though it was once a symbol of prestige for Roman Ariminum . Built on the edge of the city, it once enjoyed a striking proximity to the sea (the coastline was further inland in those days). Used for combat between gladiators, men and animals, it could hold up to 12,000 spectators.
Partly uncovered in the 19th century thanks to the historian Luigi Tonini, and again in the 1960s, it is still partly buried today and awaiting further archaeological work.

Good to know

• The Anfiteatro Romano in Rimini had an elliptical shape and measured 118 x 88 m overall, with an arena of 73 x 44 m. The arena of the Colosseum in Rome was only slightly larger (77 x 46.50 m).
• In the 3rd century it took on a military function, and due to the threat of barbarian invasions its walls were absorbed into the city's defensive walls.
• After the fall of the Roman Empire it was used as a "quarry" for stone and bricks, ideal for building other buildings.
• By the Middle Ages it was already in ruins, surrounded by uncultivated land and vegetable gardens.
• In the 17th century it became the city's plague hospital.
• During the Second World War it was used as a rubble dump.
• Today much of the area next to the Anfiteatro is occupied by the CEIS, Centro Educativo Italo Svizzero.

Photo credits - Open Data Monuments - Paperoastro