Amphitheater of Vindonissa, Roman amphitheatre in Windisch, Switzerland.
The Amphitheater of Vindonissa is a stone-built Roman entertainment venue featuring three concentric elliptical walls measuring 111 by 99 meters. It was the largest structure of this kind in Switzerland and could hold around 11,000 spectators.
The original wooden structure dates from Emperor Tiberius's time but was replaced by a stone building around 50 AD. The Legio XXI Rapax carried out the reconstruction after fire destroyed the initial building.
Soldiers and local residents gathered here to watch fights and animal shows as regular social events. These occasions brought the Roman community together and were important moments in their shared life.
The site is open to the public and can be explored without admission fees or museum requirements. Visitors can wander through the ruins independently and experience the Roman architecture in its natural setting.
Many remains discovered during excavations such as animal bones and building pieces are not visible on site. They have been kept at the Vindonissa Museum in nearby Brugg since 1912 and reveal details about shows featuring exotic animals.
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