Circus Varianus, Ancient Roman circus near Basilica of Santa Croce in Jerusalem, Rome, Italy.
Circus Varianus is an ancient Roman race track located near the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. The remains stretch across considerable dimensions and run parallel to an ancient aqueduct, with sections now built into the Aurelian Walls.
Emperor Elagabal built this race track between 218 and 222 CE as part of a palace complex that started under Emperor Septimius Severus. The structure represented imperial power and served as a center for major events for many years.
This site served as an entertainment venue for the imperial family, where chariot races and military displays took place regularly. Visitors can see today how such events shaped the leisure habits of Rome's ruling class.
The remains sit behind the Basilica and are partly built into an ancient wall, which can make visiting somewhat challenging. It helps to visit the site together with the nearby Basilica to get a complete picture of the historic area.
An obelisk that once stood on the center spine of this race track was lost for centuries and rediscovered in 1570, though it was broken into three pieces. The rediscovery of this monument shows how many ancient treasures still lie hidden beneath Rome's streets.
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