Roman amphitheatre of Santa Maria Capua Vetere

The amphitheatre of Santa Maria Capua Vetere is the second-largest Roman amphitheatre in the world, surpassed only by the Colosseum in Rome — which it may actually have inspired as an architectural model. Built during the Imperial period and capable of holding an estimated 60,000 spectators, it was the centrepiece of ancient Capua, one of Italy's most powerful cities before Rome's rise to dominance. According to ancient sources, this is where Spartacus launched his famous slave revolt in 73 BC, making the site one of the most historically charged arenas in the ancient world. Underground, an unusually well-preserved hypogeum — a labyrinthine network of tunnels used to hoist animals and gladiators into the arena — remains largely intact and open to visitors. The site is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm.