Amphitheatre of Xanten

The Amphitheatre of Xanten is a reconstructed Roman arena built upon original foundations and featuring restored seating sections that showcase second-century construction methods. The structure reveals how Romans engineered such large public buildings and organized the space for thousands of spectators.

The amphitheatre was built around 110 AD as part of the newly established Roman colony and served the community as a central gathering place. The site was later abandoned following Germanic invasions that ended Roman presence in the region.

The amphitheatre hosts Roman reenactment events where performers recreate gladiatorial contests and theatrical performances that once took place in such venues. These shows allow visitors to witness directly how spectators experienced entertainment in ancient times.

The site is located within an archaeological park and can be easily reached from Xanten's town center on foot. It is worth spending time exploring the various sections and viewing the informational panels placed throughout the reconstructed structure.

Unlike many other Roman sites across Europe, this location was never built over by later settlements, allowing archaeologists to reconstruct the original structure with remarkable precision. This rare circumstance preserved the exact positioning of all architectural elements and their relationship to one another.