Arles - Arènes Amphitheatre

The Roman amphitheater of Arènes is the largest and most complete ancient monument in the town of Arles, dating probably from early in the A.D. first century. The great oval once had accommodation for 21,000 spectators. With a length of 136m/149yd and a width of 107m/117yd the arena was one of the largest in Gaul. The facade has a double row of arcades with 60 archways each 3.38m/11ft wide; the four arches used as main entrances are 4.80m/16ft wide.

Seating for the spectators was once on 34 rows of tiered steps; the arena itself was built into the bedrock of the site. In Roman times a wooden floor was provided over the rock; the holes in which the supporting joists were fixed can still be seen in the wall surrounding the arena