Roman Amphitheater - Trier
N 49° 44.820 E 006° 38.944
32U E 330640 N 5513154
The ruins of a Roman amphitheater, date from the second century AD. It was used in the Roman imperial era (until the 5th century) for gladiator fights and animal contests.
Waymark Code: WM1ATD
Location: Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
Date Posted: 03/18/2007
Views: 184
The Amphitheater was built at the same time as the city wall and served as an additional city gate. Its southern portal constituted the outer gate, the northern portal the actual entrance into the city. The Roman cit wall ran along the slope on the city side, fortified by three towers. The arena served the purpose of the ditch running outside the city walls. As was frequently the case in the northwestern provinces, the Amphitheater in Trier was constructed not of stone but mainly of earthen walls. Supporting walls were to prevent the earthwork from slipping.
Three tiers of stone seats offered space to about 20,000 spectators, with a VIP box on the western side probably reserved for the emperor or important officials.
Underneath the arena is a vast basement where gladiators, criminals, and exotic beasts were kept prior to their release into the arena. There are also what remains of thirteen vaulted cages built into the wall which also housed wild animals or prisoners.
In the 5th century, the inhabitants of Trier used the amphitheater as a place of refuge from the increasingly frequent raids by Germanic tribes. The site was used as a quarry in the Middle Ages.
Today, the amphitheater area is used for the Antiquity Festival and open-air concerts.
Most Relevant Historical Period: Roman Empire > 27 B.C.
Admission Fee: €2.10
Opening days/times:
1. January - 13. April 10:00 - 17:00
14. April - 30. September 10:00 - 18:00
1. October - 30. November 10:00 - 17:00
1. December - 31. December 10:00 - 16:00
Web Site: [Web Link]
Condition: Partly intact or reconstructed
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