Amphitheater of Nîmes

About

The Nîmes Arenas are a Roman amphitheatre built in the late first century in the French city of Nîmes, in the Gard. It is one of the best preserved ancient amphitheatres in the world. Construction of the building begins around 90 AD.

His function was then to host entertainment for the population of the colony of Nemausus. At large Invasions, the arenas turn into a fortified village where the population will take refuge, and then constitute from the Middle Ages until the 19th century a neighborhood with its streets and shops. Until the beginning of the thirteenth century its inhabitants enjoy a separate administration from that of the city.

In the 19th century, the monument was cleared and converted into an arena in 1863. Today, it hosts about twenty bullfighting and Camargua races each year and various cultural events (concerts, historical reconstructions, such as the Roman Days of Nîmes). Apart from these events, the building is open all year round.

This ancient amphitheatre is distinguished by the general appearance of its facade which has retained its attic of crowning with engaged columns and 60 arcades at each level, its...