Description of the attraction
The Verona Amphitheater, located in the city's main square, Piazza Bra, is the third largest antique amphitheater built during the Roman era and one of the best preserved. Historians date this structure to about 30 AD: then it consisted of 4 elliptical rings, and was lined with white and pink limestone. Its current facade is made of stone, river pebbles and bricks. In 2000, the Verona amphitheater was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO.
About two thousand years ago, on this stage, which could accommodate more than 30 thousand people, fierce gladiatorial battles, navmachia naval battles and circus performances were held. Unfortunately, a strong earthquake in 1117 almost completely destroyed the outer wall of the amphitheater. However, the role of the arena in the life of the city did not diminish: in the Middle Ages, demonstrative executions of heretics, knightly tournaments and festivals were held here, and a little later - battles with bulls. Finally, with the advent of the 20th century, the amphitheater became Verona's main venue for opera performances, which are attended by more than half a million people every year! The first production was Aida by Giuseppe Verdi, which has become a kind of hallmark of the new theater scene. Since then, legendary opera performers Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Renata Tebaldi and other world stars have performed here. It also hosts concerts of pop stars. Until recently, the capacity of the amphitheater was 20 thousand spectators, but for security reasons it was reduced to 15 thousand.
