Amphithéatre ou Arènes
MonumentHidden Treasure
Amphithéatre ou Arènes, located in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône), is a historic monument. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Location
- Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 43.6778, 4.6309
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00081119
The Roman jewel of Provence, the Arles Arena has stood the test of time since the 1st century. Their colossal two-storey ellipse, still alive under the Camargue sun, still hosts bullfights and shows.
History
Standing in the heart of Arles like a challenge to eternity, the Arènes is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the western world. Their two-tiered arcaded silhouette dominates the old town, reminding us that Arles was once one of the most prestigious cities in Roman Gaul, nicknamed the "Little Rome of the Gauls". Their inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage List, alongside the other ancient monuments of Arles, confirms their exceptional universal value. What makes the Arenas truly unique is their double life: first-rate archaeological monument in the morning, vibrant arena in the afternoon. With an original capacity estimated at more than 20,000 spectators, it was larger than many similar buildings on the Iberian Peninsula. Their ellipse measures around 136 metres in length and 107 metres in width, proportions that overwhelm visitors with their majesty from the very first glance from the upper tiers. It's a striking experience. As you climb up to the vaulted galleries on the second level, you get a real sense of Roman ingenuity: the 120 superimposed arches, the vomitories that allowed thousands of spectators to be evacuated in a matter of minutes, the basements where the show machinery slid. In fine weather, the panorama from the medieval towers at the summit takes in the ochre roofs of Arles and the first lines of the Camargue. Photography enthusiasts will be delighted at dawn, when the low-angled light reveals the golden texture of the limestone blocks and creates dramatically deep shadows in the arcades. Families will love the themed guided tours that bring back to life the gladiators, horsemen and wild beasts that once animated this arena. Roman history buffs will recognise in every stone the mark of a civilisation that shaped Europe for two millennia.
Architecture
The Arenas at Arles belong to the canonical type of Roman amphitheatre with an elliptical plan, of which the Colosseum in Rome is the imperial archetype. The building measures approximately 136 metres along its long axis and 107 metres along its short axis, with a restored height of around 21 metres over two levels of arcades. The exterior façade features 120 semi-circular arches spread over two floors, punctuated by pilasters with Tuscan capitals on the ground floor and Corinthian capitals on the first floor - a decorative hierarchy typical of Imperial Roman architecture. The materials used are mainly local limestone quarried in the Alpilles region, with a warm hue ranging from creamy beige to golden ochre, depending on the amount of sunlight. Inside, the cavea (all the tiers of seats) was organised according to a strict social hierarchy: the lower tiers (ima cavea) were reserved for notables and magistrates, the middle tiers (media cavea) for the free plebs, and the upper tiers for women and freed slaves. The arena itself, covered in sand (arena in Latin) to soak up the blood from the fights, was built on a network of underground galleries housing the cages for the wild beasts, the freight lifts and the gladiators' backstage areas. A velarium, a vast canvas sail manoeuvred by sailors seconded from the Misène fleet, could partially cover the space to protect spectators from the Provencal sun. The most striking architectural feature of the Arles Arena is the three medieval towers that still crown the structure, a vestige of the millennium during which the building served as a fortress and inhabited quarter. They provide rare evidence of the historical stratigraphy of a monument that has stood the test of time without ever ceasing to be used.
Related Figures
Jules César — fondateur de la colonie romaine d'Arelate en 46 av. J.-C., dont l'essor conduira à la construction de l'amphithéâtreConstantin Ier — empereur romain qui fit d'Arles sa résidence occidentale privilégiée au IVe siècle et contribua à son rayonnementHonorius — empereur romain qui interdit les spectacles de gladiature en 404, mettant fin à la vocation première de l'arèneProsper Mérimée — inspecteur général des Monuments Historiques, artisan de la protection de l'édifice dès 1840Frédéric Mistral — poète provençal et prix Nobel de littérature, dont l'action culturelle contribua au renouveau des férias et à la valorisation du patrimoine arlésienFernand Pouillon — architecte marseillais dont les travaux de restauration du centre historique d'Arles au XXe siècle accompagnèrent la mise en valeur du monument
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Amphithéatre ou Arènes located?
Amphithéatre ou Arènes is located in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France.
Is Amphithéatre ou Arènes open to visitors?
Amphithéatre ou Arènes is currently closed to visitors.