It is the third largest amphitheater in the world, after the Colosseum in Rome and the Capua amphitheater, one of the oldest, which has come down to us in excellent condition, thanks also to the restorations carried out in the sixteenth century.
In 1183 a strong earthquake destroyed the triple order of overlapping arches, which completely surrounded it, today only a small glimpse of four bays remains in a wing of the arena, which allows you to imagine the majesty of the original appearance.
Ended around 30 A.D. it was located outside the city walls, with a constant sequence consisting of 72 double stone arches, which still today creates an ellipse one hundred and ten meters wide and one hundred and forty long.
Over the years it was incorporated into the urban perimeter, due to defensive needs, caused by the continuous barbarian incursions, some sections of the walls are still visible today in the pizza behind. The Verona Amphitheater is characterized by 44 steps of limestone blocks from Valpolicella and is able to accommodate 25,000 spectators, who at the time represented almost the entire population.
It has been the stage of gladiator fights, naval battles, hunting trips, public executions, fairs, bullfighting, up to the present day where it is used for concerts, shows and theatrical-opera performances of the highest level, wanted by the Veronese tenor Giovanni Zenatello to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi.
Do not miss a visit to the ambulatory, corridors and internal archways, which are from an archaeological point of view, the most interesting and important part of the monument. This marvelous work is located in Brà Square, an irregularly shaped square, embellished in the center by public gardens and surrounded by many interesting buildings belonging to different eras.
Moving south we find the Gran Guardia Palace which is supported by the Portoni della Brà, on the east side we find the “Barbieri Palace or Comunale Palace" in neoclassical style and along the "Liston", place of walks, we find the eighteenth century "Ottolini Palace" , followed by the "Guglienzi-Brognoligo Palace" of the fifteenth century in Renaissance style and the Honorji Palace of the mid-sixteenth century.
