Arena, Archaeological site in Saintes, France
The Arènes is a Gallo-Roman amphitheater in Saintes, in southwestern France, built into a natural valley. Stone seating rows surround an open arena floor and are largely intact, making the original shape of the structure easy to read.
The amphitheater was built in the first half of the 1st century, when Saintes, then known as Mediolanum Santonum, was one of the leading cities in Gaul. After falling out of use in the 4th century, it was quarried for building material before being partly excavated and secured in the 19th century.
The arena has two visible gates: the Gate of the Living, used by spectators, and the Gate of the Dead, now walled up, which was reserved for fighters. Families with children between 7 and 12 can pick up a activity booklet on site that guides them through the ruins.
The site is reached on foot along a path through a natural hollow, so comfortable shoes are recommended as the ground can be uneven. On site there is a shop, a bar, and guided tours available; the site is open from early February through late December.
Although the amphitheater used a natural hollow to ease construction, it was also equipped with a drainage system designed to channel rainwater away and keep the stone structures stable over time. A major flood in 1982 damaged parts of the site, which eventually led to a full restoration program starting in 2021.
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