Milan amphitheatre, Milan, Italy

The Milan amphitheatre was built near the Porta Ticinese in the 2nd-3rd centuries AD when Mediolanum grew as economical and political importance while Rome declined. It remained in use until the city was one of the capitals of the Western Roman Empire (4th or 5th centuries). Later it was abandoned after Christianity imposed an end to arena games, but also as, in the wake of the imperial crisis, animals to be used in the amphitheatre were no longer imported. It became a quarry for construction stones as early as the 4th century AD, when the Basilica of San Lorenzo was built.

The edifice was demolished during a Barbarian attack on Milan, as it was located outside the walls and could therefore be used as stronghold by the attackers. The date of the event is uncertain, however: it could be 402, during the Visigothic invasion of Italy, or in 452, when northern Italy was ravaged by Attila, or during the Gothic Wars (6th century).

The scanty remains of the amphitheatre have, however, allowed the archaeologists to calculate that it was 129.5 metres long and 109.3 metres wide.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Denis Trivellato (4 years ago)
The Roman amphitheater of Milan was an ancient amphitheater of the Roman city of Mediolanum. Having an ellipse of 155 x 125 meters, it was the third largest amphitheater in Roman Italy after the Colosseum and the Capua Amphitheater. It was located outside the Roman walls of Milan, near the Roman Porta Ticinese. Built in the 1st century AD, it was destroyed in 539 in the siege of Milan during the Gothic war. The Roman amphitheater in Milan, like all similar buildings in other Roman cities, hosted gladiator fights as well as venationes and naumachie shows. During the latter the amphitheater was flooded. Its remains are located between the modern streets De Amicis, Conca del Naviglio and Arena (the latter toponym recalls its ancient presence) within the archaeological park of the Antiquarion in Milan, which is located in via De Amicis 17. The archaeological area that can be visited of the Roman amphitheater in Milan has an area of about 150 square meters

annalisa Buosi (4 years ago)

Al Y (4 years ago)
Remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater. A touch of history

Farid Henni (4 years ago)
It's closed with no access, it may be undergoing restoration

calogero passarello (6 years ago)
Magical place in an unexpected place

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Roman Moško

Historic Site of the week

Trencín Castle

Trenčín Castle is relatively large renovated castle, towering on a steep limestone cliff directly above the city of Trenčín. It is a dominant feature not only of Trenčín, but also of the entire Považie region. The castle is a national monument.

History of the castle cliff dates back to the Roman Empire, what is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion against Germans in the year 179.

Today’s castle was probably built on the hill-fort. The first proven building on the hill was the Great Moravian rotunda from the 9th century and later there was a stone residential tower, which served to protect the Kingdom of Hungary and the western border. In the late 13th century the castle became a property of Palatine Matúš Csák, who became Mr. of Váh and Tatras.

Matúš Csák of Trenčín built a tower, still known as Matthew’s, which is a dominant determinant of the whole building.

Milan amphitheatre

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Historic Site of the week

Trencín Castle