The Arles Amphitheatre
The Arles Amphitheatre is a Roman amphitheatre in the
southern French town of Arles. This two-tiered Roman amphitheatre is probably
the most prominent tourist attraction in the city of Arles, which thrived in
Roman times. The pronounced towers jutting out from the top are medieval
add-ons.
Built in 90 AD, the amphitheatre was capable of seating over
20,000 spectators, and was built to provide entertainment in the form of
chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles. Today, it draws large crowds for
bullfighting during the Feria d'Arles as well as plays and concerts in summer.
Arles Amphitheater
The building measures 136 m (446 ft) in length and 109 m
(358 ft) wide, and features 120 arches. It has an oval arena surrounded by
terraces, arcades on two levels (60 in all), bleachers, a system of galleries,
drainage system in many corridors of access and staircases for a quick exit
from the crowd. It was obviously inspired by the Colosseum in Rome (in 72-80),
being built slightly later (in 90). Sources
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