Address
Rond-Point des Arenes,
Arènes d Arles, 13200,
Arles, France
Directions: Google Maps
Support
Phone: +33 490 49 36 86
Phone: +33 891 70 03 70
Email: nil
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About Arles Amphitheatre
A timeless classic of the Roman Empire, built during the reign of Augustus in 90 AD, the Arles Amphitheatre spellbound spectators for over four centuries, with its massive open-to-sky, elliptical seating gallery. Originally, the Roman Amphitheatre set the center-stage for, fierce battles of legendary gladiators, fabled theatrical performances, and heart-pounding chariot races.
Built in the Provence region in South of France, the amphitheater narrates the undying saga of the Roman sovereignty in power, modelled after the famed Colosseum Amphitheatre in Rome. Designed by Roman Architect Crispius Reburrus, the UNESCO listed the Arles Amphitheatre as a World Heritage Site, and is one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in Rome.
In the 5th century, the fall of the Roman Empire, greatly influenced the prevailing conditions of the Amphitheatre, and it re-surfaced as a shelter with houses and chapels, built in and around the arena. It became a medieval fortress in the 15th century, until Writer Prosper Mérimée, pushed for the conservation of the site, in 1825.
The two-tier elliptical seating gallery of the Amphitheatre, entertains over 20,000 spectators, and features 120 archways, with wide staircases and corridors, viewing galleries with terraces, and excellent drainage systems. Built entirely of Mesozoic limestone blocks laid one above the other, without the use of mortar, the skill and artisanship of these ancient stone builders is remarkable. The overall building has a length of 136 metres, and a width of 109 metres, and is equally spaced with baroque- styled Corinthian and Doric columns, capping over the double arcades of the Amphitheatre.
The Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh has painted much of his celebrated works, in the Amphitheatre, and the arena in present-day attracts visitors, for its spectacular traditional bullfights, musical concerts and stage plays in summer. The Arles Amphitheatre is the last of the existing arenas in Rome, to be in continued use for entertaining the crowds.
Visitors typically spend about 30 mins, and the Amphitheatre opens between 9am-19pm, all year round. Best time to visit the Arles Amphitheatre is from 10am -11am in the summers, and is the busiest on Mondays and Saturdays. Admission ticket costs 9 Euros, and includes free access to visit nearby historic sites.
The nearest airport at Arles easily connects, to all the major cities in France, and other European Countries. Other historic landmarks, in and around Arles includes the Baths of Constantine, the Cloître Saint-Trophime, the Roman Theatre and more. Accommodation is plenty with thriving hotels in and around Arles, with rooms available all-round the year, for visitors. For more information or queries on tickets, timings, events, or others, reach the Arles Amphitheatre support.
