Built of pink-tinged marble in the 1st century CE, Verona's Roman Arena dominates the city's Piazza Brà and elicits audible gasps at first sight. It's one of Italy's most astounding buildings and one of the world's best-preserved ancient structures. The arena survived a 12th-century earthquake to become the city’s legendary open-air opera house, with seating for 30,000 people.
Admire Ancient Roman Engineering Inside & Out
The eighth-biggest amphitheater in the Roman Empire and predating the Colosseum in Rome, the Arena di Verona (museomaffeiano.comune.verona.it; adult/reduced €12/9) is a marvel of Roman Empire engineering and a spectacular thing of ancient beauty.
But nothing of the incredible interior is visible from outside. Pass through the dingy ancient corridors, wide enough to drive a gladiator's chariot through, to re-emerge into the massive, sunlit stone arena, with at least 50 levels of seating rising from the mammoth, oval showground (head to the top!). Note the amphitheater is completely open so this is not a great place to visit in the rain.
Spend a Night at the Opera
While visits are possible year-round, it’s at its best during the summer Arena di Verona Opera Festival (arena.it; tickets €22-330). Around 14,000 music lovers pack the Roman Arena on summer nights from June to September during the world's biggest open-air lyrical music event, which draws international stars.
Performances usually start at 9pm. There's no need to spring for top-end tickets – the numbered stone steps are fine. Rent a cushion and prepare for an unforgettable evening with Verdi's Aida, Nabucco, La Traviata or Puccini's Turandot, among others.
