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Verona

Arena di Verona

First-century amphitheatre, summer opera festival, pink Veronese marble, candle-lit overtures.

Photograph · Arena di Verona

At a glance

Arena di Verona facts that matter

Names, makers, dates, and context before the story opens up.

What it isMonument
WhereVerona, Veneto
Known forFirst-century amphitheatre, summer opera festival, pink Veronese marble, candle-lit overtures

The story

What you're looking at

Arena di Verona is the Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra, built in the first century CE for public spectacles. Much of its outer ring collapsed in the earthquake of 1117, but the monument continued to be used and has been adapted across successive periods. In 1913 it hosted its first opera, Aida, presented for the centenary of Giuseppe Verdi's birth. It stands within, rather than as a separate component of, the UNESCO World Heritage property City of Verona.

Verified details

Each statement below is linked to the record or institution that supports it.

Arena di Verona is the Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra, constructed in the first century CE as a venue for public spectacles.1

Fondazione Arena dates construction more specifically to about 30–42 CE on the basis of a bronze coin found in the amphitheatre, while noting that the exact construction date is uncertain.1

A violent earthquake in 1117 caused the collapse of much of the outer ring, helping to produce the monument's present appearance.1

The first opera performance in the Arena was Aida in 1913, presented for the centenary of Giuseppe Verdi's birth.1

Arena di Verona is within the UNESCO World Heritage property City of Verona, inscribed in 2000 under criteria (ii) and (iv). It is one Roman monument within the listed historic city, not a separately inscribed property.2

Sources and citations (2)
  1. Fondazione Arena di VeronaVisitare l'Arena di VeronaHistory sectionRead source
  2. UNESCO World Heritage CentreCity of VeronaOutstanding Universal Value; inscription metadataRead source

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Nearby

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