Amphitheatre of Gatchina, Open-air theater in Gatchina, Russia.

The Amphitheatre of Gatchina is a ring-shaped turfed earthen rampart about 3.5 metres high and 65 metres in diameter, with a round arena inside, in the Orangery Garden of the Palace Park. Four symmetrical passages pierce the rampart, their retaining walls of Pudost stone, and eight steep stone staircases of Chernitskaya slab lead to the top.

The earthen amphitheatre was built in the 1790s to a design by Nikolai Lvov, at the same time as the Naumachia pool. Its arena was meant for carousels, theatrical displays in which riders on horseback performed complex exercises. The project was never finished: the gilded vases, incense bowls and wrought-iron gates with Paul I's monograms were never installed. In the 1820s it was known as the Cockfights, and restoration work was carried out in 1847–1849.

The arena was designed for carousels, staged equestrian spectacles in which riders on horseback performed a series of complex exercises. In the 1820s the structure was known as the Cockfights, possibly because cockfighting took place there, though no reliable evidence survives. Eight stone staircases of Chernitskaya slab still lead up the rampart.

Visit on a dry day since the paths and seating areas can become slippery when wet. Wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the entire grounds at a relaxed pace.

The earthen rampart was meant to be topped with turf and shrubs, with statues on Pudost stone pedestals in the gaps, eight gilded vases on the stairs and flat incense bowls on the arena. The iron gates with gilded spears and Paul I's monograms were never hung; the metal hinges remain in the passage walls.