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. In the Middle Ages the citizens converted the amphitheater into a fortress by the addition of towers and the walling up of the arcades, of which there were originally three rows; the third no longer exists. When Prosper Mérimée cleared and restored the arena 150 years ago three of the towers were left standing. The one over the entrance can be climbed and from it there is a charming view over the roofs of the Old Town and of the nearby ancient theater. Nowadays in summer bull-fights take place in the arena.