Amphitheatre Romano Catania

In the centre of Stesicoro Square we find the entrance to the Roman amphitheater of Catania. Although only remains of one of the semicircules of the amphitheater are visible from the outside, we will soon understand that the entire surface of the amphitheater extends below the adjacent buildings. In fact until the first decade of the 20th century the square completely hid the remains. It was in 1904 at the initiative of Mayor De Felice that the first tasks of excavation and restoration were initiated by the architect Nicolfo Fichera. The gigantic Roman monument, not in vain, is the second largest amphitheater in Italy after the Coliseum, retains the corridor that runs the entire perimeter below the city. Its state is calamious due to the deterioration, and the few conservation works. Some parts of the amphitheater are also visible in two parts of Via Manzoni in addition to the entrance of Plaza Stesicoro. With regard to the dating of the amphitheater, it seems sustainable the theories that date its construction according to the constructive techniques in the mid-second century BC. After the occupation of the vandals the city is looted and the amphitheater abandoned and expolised. The inhabitants of the city will use the structure to take advantage of their homes or even King Normando Ruggerio will use his stones for the construction of the cathedral. These blocks can now be observed in the external construction of the apse of the cathedral to which you can access by Vittorio Emanuele 159 Street.

Latitude:37.507565·Longitude:15.085731