Arena Amphitheatre

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Basic info

Type of attraction

Amphitheatre

Italian name

Anfiteatro Arena

Location

Piazza Brà, 1 – 37121 Verona

Website (italian)
Email
+39 045 7110129

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How to visit

Prices

Adult (26 to 65): 12,00€
Senior (over 65): 9,00€
Young Adult (18 to 25): 3,00€
Children & Young (under 18): Free*

*For children under 14 only if accompanied by an adult.

Free access
Opening times

Tuesday – Sunday: 10 am – 3 pm

Last Admission: 2:30 pm

Closing days

Mondays

Location

Piazza Brà, 1 – 37121 Verona

Public transports

From Catullo Verona Airport:
Bus 199
+ 4 min walk to Bus Terminal C2:
+ Bus 92/98

Bus 199
+ 4 min walk to Bus Terminal B1:
+ Bus 90

From Verona Porta Nuova Bus Station:
Terminal C2: Bus 92/98

Terminal B1: Bus 90

More details

  • External ring: the Arena’s facade, with only a small surviving section (the so-called “Ala”) from the original building. Limestone from theValpolicella was used in its construction.
  • Cavea: the seating area, with rebuilt steps. In its origins it was upheld by a triple ring of galleries.
  • Arena: featuring an elliptical design, it was once the site of gladiator duels.

1st century – Built by the Romans. It was the stage for different types of shows: gladiator fights, athletic competitions, animal hunting. Christian martyrdoms also occurred there.

493-526 – Reign of Theodoric. Part of the outer ring was dismantled to build the second city wall.

11th century – Enemies of the powerful, when sentenced to death, were sometimes executed in public spectacles in the arena.

1117 – A significant earthquake results in extensive destruction of the outside walls.

13th century – The outcome of certain legal disputes is sometimes decided through fights in the arena between professional fighters.

1276-1537 – The city’s prostitutes are allowed to practice their trade in the arena.

1278 – Two hundred heretics sentenced to the stake were burned on a pyre.

16th century – Artisans and traders begin to develop their activities in this space.

1544 – Major cleaning and restoration.

17th century – Knights tournaments take place there.

18th century – Comedians and dancers perform on small stages constructed within the Arena.

mid-19th century – The Arena starts hosting opera perfomances.

1866 – The annexation of Veneto to the Kingdom of Italy is celebrated in the Arena.

1913 – Summer seasons dedicated to opera become regular.

Nowadays – The Arena is a global hub for opera and live concerts.

the surroundings

  • Castelvecchio Museum (450 m)
  • Church of Saint Fermo (750 m)
  • Juliet’s House (750 m)
  • Lamberti Tower (850 m)
  • Verona Cathedral (1,3 km)
  • Archeological Museum (1,5 km)
  • Peperino Verona (160 m)
  • Caffè degli Artisti (220 m)
  • La Griglia (260 m)
  • Tre Marchetti (300 m)
  • Locanda 4 Cuochi (350 m)