Arles Amphitheatre

The Amphitheatre in Arles is one of the greatest remaining examples of Roman architecture in southern Europe. It is a beautiful structure, intact for the most part and dominates the fascinating southern French town of Arles, on the edge of the Camargue National Park.

Arles

The town of Arles was a thriving city during the height of the Roman empire. In 90 AD, the town built this impressive amphitheatre, which provided seating for over 20,000 good Roman citizens. Inspired by the famed Coliseum in Rome, the structure has over 120 arches, a series of
galleries and staircases, and two levels of seating. For over four centuries the amphitheater provided a variety of entertainments, including gladiatorial battles, chariot races, and theatrical performances.

With the fall of the Western Empire in the 5th century, the amphitheatre
became a shelter for the population and was transformed into a fortress with four towers.
The structure encircled more than 200 houses, becoming a real town,
with its public square built in the centre of the arena and two chapels,
one in the centre of the building, and another one at the base of the
west tower.

Today, the amphitheatre is used for traditional bullfighting festivals and cultural events. The Amphitheatre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with many other buildings in the city of Arles.