Arena, Verona

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The Arena's the most famous monument in Verona and the 2nd to the Colosseum in Rome. It's said to have been built at the beginning of the 1st century.

So, if you want to go back to the time of gladiatorial games, races and other spectacular events, you shouldn't miss this spot.

But, be prepared to queue to see the impressive interior with giant terraces.

Entrance fee: 6 EUR

The opera lovers can also attend the spectacular Arena Festival in summer.

This is a Roman amphitheatre which is internationally famous for the opera performances given there, although some great contemporary singers had performed in there such as Björk or Pearl Jam and in its early years, people went to see gladiators fights in there.

It was built in AD 30, and it is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind, as its interior is almost intact, amazing right?

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The Arena – Verona’s most famous monument, visited by tourists world-wide.
If you contemplate it in silence, it’s not difficult to imagine it crammed with spectators as in Roman times: all you need do is shut your eyes or go to see one of the splendid opera performances held here and the Arena will come magically to life.
Situated in Piazza Bra', the Amphitheatre was built in the first half of the 1st century A.D., in the period which marked the end of Augustus’ reign and the beginning of that of Claudius. It is the third largest amphitheatre in Italy, after the Colosseum and the amphitheatre of Capua.
Its elliptical shape produces perfect acoustics from every physical stand point in the arena and enhances its capacity to accommodate a great number of people.

Performances used to take place in the centre of the amphitheatre, the “harena” (hence the name) or the area covered in sand where gladiatorial combats were held, the sand being used to absorb the blood of gladiators and animals.
In its “platea” and “cavea” the amphitheatre could contain 30.000 people. The amphitheatre consists of three concentric rings: only a brief section of the external ring remains – the so-called “Ala”.
The façade was built in limestone (white and pink in colour) from the Valpolicella quarries. Its original colour has come to life thanks to recent restoration. The second internal ring remains intact with its double tier of seventy-two arches.

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Some say this is second biggest of it´s kind after Colosseo.
Nice to see,but if you ask us,we felt that it has been ruined with making new stages to opera-festivals.I´m not sure,if they are there whole time,but it seemed so.
But othervice it was nice to see this,if you are in Verona

I would throroughly recommend a visit to the Roman Arena which is the second largest still standing. It cost approx 4 Euros to go into and was amazing - I couldn't believe how big it was and you could almost imagine what it was like back in the Roman days and the excitement that spectators must have felt.

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Our longest visit to Verona lasted 2 days, but we did take in the arena. Famous for its open air opera performances, its something we have decided to rain check. The arena is still worth a visit. Its basically a miniaturised version of its bigger brother in Rome.

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The Verona Arena (Arena di Verona) is a Roman amphitheatre in Verona, Italy, which is famous for the opera performances given there. It is one of the best preserved structures of its kind.

The building was built in AD 30 on a site which at the time was outside of the city walls. The ludii (shows and games) staged there were so famous that spectators came from many other (sometimes very distant) places. The amphitheatre could host more than 30,000 spectators.

The round façade was originally in white and pink limestone from Valpolicella, but after a major earthquake in 1117, which almost completely destroyed the outer ring, except the so-called "Ala", the Arena was used as a quarry for other buildings. The first interventions to recover its functionality as a theatre were started during the Renaissance.

We stayed near Verona and wanted to go to the Arena to see the Aida but it was completely sold out for quite a while. We just went to try to buy some not collected tickets. When we arrived at the Arena around 18.00 hour we saw at least 1000 of people already stand in line for there entrances. The ticket office was closed so we did not make a change, we thought. But then we saw several (black-market) ticket sellers on the square trying to get rid of there tickets. They asked double price for tickets in the cheapest section. We nearly paid but then we saw 2 older tourists waving with tickets. They sold us the tickets for the official price.
So don't hesitate and just go!
But don't go inside without any food or drinks. It's a long evening without (from about 18.30 until 01.00). You can buy drinks inside but they ask € 5,00 for a small can of water.
When you have tickets for the F and E sector be prepared for the heat. The sun is shining on these sectors till late and the Arena can become an oven.