Roman Amphitheatre
Roman Amphitheatre features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Syracuse. Give it roughly ~60 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type ruins
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Syracuse Syracuse guide
About Roman Amphitheatre
A remarkably preserved early-Imperial Roman amphitheatre cut into bedrock in the Neapolis Archaeological Park, used for gladiatorial combat and wild animal hunts, one of the largest in Roman Sicily.
The Roman Amphitheatre of Syracuse stands adjacent to the Greek Theatre in the Neapolis Archaeological Park and represents the Roman transformation of the ancient city from a centre of Greek culture into a Roman provincial capital. Built in the early Imperial period (likely 1st century AD), it is one of the largest Roman amphitheatres in Sicily, measuring approximately 140 by 119 metres. Like the Greek Theatre, it was partly cut from the living rock of the hillside. A rectangular pit in the centre of the arena floor was used to store wild animals before they were released. The perimeter wall and many of the vaulted corridors beneath the seating are still visible. The amphitheatre was also used as a water reservoir in later periods and shows clear evidence of post-Roman adaptation.
Did you know? The Romans converted part of the Greek Theatre into a water basin, and the Roman Amphitheatre could be flooded for naval battle re-enactments called naumachiae, a spectacle in which condemned prisoners fought to the death in miniature warships on the flooded arena floor.
How long is a visit to Roman Amphitheatre?
Set aside roughly ~60 min for Roman Amphitheatre. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Roman Amphitheatre worth your time?
Roman Amphitheatre is among the 20 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Syracuse, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Syracuse
Hear the story of Roman Amphitheatre
Preview the Syracuse tour free in the Gingerguide app.