Verona Arena

The Verona Arena is among the most intact Roman amphitheaters surviving anywhere in the world, anchoring the city's historic center on the edge of Piazza Brà for two millennia. Built in the first century AD, it originally seated up to 30,000 spectators; while a medieval earthquake toppled most of the outer ring, the inner oval of pale pink stone has been preserved through systematic restoration efforts since the 16th century and is now an Italian national monument. Since 1913 the arena transforms each summer into an open-air opera house — productions of Verdi's Aida and Nabucco are staged with monumental sets, drawing audiences of up to 14,000 per evening. Outside the festival season, the tiered Roman stonework can be explored on its own terms, offering sweeping views across Verona's rooftops from the upper galleries.