The Arena of Nîmes is one of the best preserved ancient Roman amphiteathres. It was constructed sometime around 70 A.D., just as Jerusalem was being destroyed in the eastern part of the Empire. The elliptical amphiteathre has 34 rows of stone seats which could accomodate more than 16,000 spectators at the 'games'. As times changed and the Empire collapsed, the Arena was preserved largely because people kept finding new ways to utilize it, rather than just demolishing it in order to quarry its stone for other structures (as unfortunately happened with the Colosseum in Rome). In the mid-1800s the Arena was renovated to serve as a bullring.
View of the action from the very top seats.
Hallway on the top level, circling the Arena
Well-worn step
Top seats in the Arena
View of Nîmes from the top of the Arena.
