Roman amphitheatre of Catania, Roman amphitheatre in central Catania, Italy
The Roman amphitheatre of Catania is an elliptical structure from antiquity that lies partly beneath the modern streets of the city. The original construction shows the use of volcanic stone from Mount Etna and marble elements, though much of it remains covered by later buildings.
The amphitheatre was built in the second century AD and later enlarged in the third century to hold more spectators. Over the following centuries it was gradually destroyed and built over, leaving only fragments visible beneath the modern city today.
The amphitheatre was a gathering place where people of different social ranks came together to watch fights and games. These public events shaped daily life and created shared moments that bound the Roman community together.
The site is accessible to visitors, but access is limited since much of the structure lies under private property and existing buildings. It is worth checking ahead which sections are currently open, as this varies depending on the time.
Underground passages and chambers run beneath the old city streets and remain visible today, revealing how intricate the internal structure of the ancient building was. These hidden corridors beneath modern street names remind visitors that the city was literally built over the ruins of antiquity.
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