1. Colosseum
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Although partially ruined because of damage caused by earthquakes and stone robbers, the Colosseum is still an ionic symbol of imperial Rome. Colosseum is today is now a major tourist attraction in Rome. Colosseum could hold, as per estimation, between 50,000 – 80,000 spectators and having an average audience of some 65,000. This theatre was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, and dramas based on classical mythology. Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre ever built and is considered one of the greatest work of architecture and engineering ever.
2. Verona Arena
Every year over 500,000 people see production of the popular operas in this Arena. Once capable of housing 20,000 patrons per performance, this arena has featured many of world’s most notable opera singers. In 2011, the Bollywood movie ‘Rockstar’ directed by Imitiaz Ali, starring Ranbir Kapoor with the music composed by Academy award winner A. R. Rehman opens and closes with musical concerts shot here. It is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind.
3. Amphitheatre Of EL DJEM
Many tourists come here to see what it is like to be inside what was once a place where lions and people met their fate. Much of it is crumbled but the essence of it still remains. The ruins of the amphitheatre were declared a world heritage site in 1979. It hosts the annual festival International de Musique Symphonique d’EL Jem. It is also believe
4. Amphitheatre Of Pompeii
Aside from being a historical landmark and an object of archaeological study, the amphitheatre has been used for concerts and other public events in modern times. In October 1971, over a 4-day period pink Floyd made a concert film at the amphitheatre, titled pink Floyd: live at Pompeii. The amphitheatre’s design is seen by some modern crowd control specialists as near optimal. Its washroom, located in the neighboring Palaestra has also been cited as an inspiration for better bathroom design in modern stadiums.
5. Pula Arena
This Arena is the only remaining roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and with all three roman architectural orders entirely preserved. It is among the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the world. A rare example among the 200 Roman surviving amphitheatre, it is also the best preserved ancient monument in Croatia. The arena is used for many concerts. This place has also been used for cinematic works such as TITUS. Two professional hockey games were also played here.
6. Uthina Amphitheatre
This place is the ruins of the archeological site of Oudna. The building is half dug into the hill and the seats were adorsed to the slope, only the upper part of the building with the arcs is above the ground. I don’t think this placed is used as a theatre anymore.
7. Arena Of Nimes
As the roman empire fell, he amphitheatre was fortified by the Visigoths and was surrounded by walls. The building remained in the amphitheatre until the 18th century, when the decision was made to convert he amphitheatre to its present form. This is the site of two annual bull fights during the Feria de Nimes and it is also used for other public events. It has a capacity of 16,300 spectators and since 1988, has a movable cover and a heating system.
8. Flavian Amphitheatre
This amphitheatre is the 3rd largest Roman amphitheater in Italy. The arena could hold upto 20,000 spectators. The interior is mostly intact and one can still see parts of gears which were used to lift cages up to the arena. This building looks similar to colosseum as the same architects were hired to make this arena.
9. Leptis And Magna Amphitheatre
Today, the site of Leptis Magna is the site of some of the most impressive ruins of roman period. The ruins of Leptis and Magma are located in Khoms, Libya. The site is one of the most spectacular and unspoiled Roman ruins in the Mediterranean. There were reports that Leptis Magna was used as a cover for tanks and military vehicles but NATO refused that saying that there is no confirmation.
10. Arles Amphitheatre
This two tired amphitheatre is probably the most prominent tourist attraction in the city of Arles, which thrived in Roman times. The amphitheatre was not expected to receive 25,000 spectators so the architect was therefore force to reduce the size and replace the dual system of galleries. With the fall of the empire, the amphitheatre became shelter for the population and was transformed into a fortress with 4 towers. The 1st event organized in the arena was the race of bulls to celebrate the taking of Algeries.
