Roman Amphitheatre of Avella, Avella, Italy

The Archaeological Area of the Roman Amphitheatre of Avella is a place of historical interest, located on the homonymous street.

Built in the late Republican age, in the first century BC, at the end of the decumano maior (current corso Vittorio Emanuele), the Amphitheatre lies, to the south-east, on the remains of Samnite walls, to the north-west, on a natural slope. Among the oldest in Campania, it's compared to that of Pompeii, not so much for its size (60 meters in length and 35 in width, therefore smaller) as for the material and construction technique in opus reticolatum of the yellow type.

Great flight of steps, ima, media and summa cavea, embraced an arena located at a lower level than the remaining planking level, as depicted in an honorary base of 170 AD, preserved at the main entrance of the Baronial Palace, in Piazza Municipio. The first two caves, lower and central, are still visible with some tuff seats; while few traces remain of the upper summa cavea. The arena was accessed through two doors: the “porta triumphalis” and the “porta libitinensis”. The highest authorities descended from the gate of victory with a chariot, acclaimed by everyone. They stopped at the centre of the arena and then got on the podium from where they watched the show; from the second gate the dying and the losers of the fights were carried away instead. A third, smaller gate allowed access to a small temple dedicated to a god, to whom the gladiators turned before going down to the arena for the fighting. Today, with its efficient info point and a bar area, it's a popular destination of cultural visits and suggestive seat of important musical and theatrical performances.

The Roman Amphitheatre of Avella, witness to glorious events, memorable stories, field of games and gladiator fights, still stands out today in all its majesty in the Archaeological Area of the town, just outside the inhabited centre of the San Pietro district.

References:

sistemairpinia.provincia.avellino.it

User Reviews

caro Town (2 years ago)
The amphitheater of Avella is located just outside the city centre. It seems to be among the first examples of Roman structures of this type. Dating back to the 1st century BC, it is probably contemporary with the Pompeii amphitheater. Currently the area is used for shows and events and, for this purpose, steps have been set up to welcome the spectators. Surely the amphitheater has enormous potential for the story it can tell and for the state of conservation.

Robert (2 years ago)
I found it closed but I expected it. What I didn't expect is to have found a pile of rubbish (see photo) in a place that is still of tourist and cultural interest. From the outside you can see a pile of scrap metal that doesn't even look like an amphitheater.

Renato Bocchino (3 years ago)
Visited on the occasion of the chestnut and hazelnut festival, it is a Roman amphitheater from the 1st century. Site little known to most is preserved discreetly but well maintained. Very similar in size and construction technique to the amphitheater in Pompeii. There is an infopoint with bar and services. Definitely worth a visit.

Giv Rocchius (3 years ago)
A place full of history, well maintained. I congratulate the association that manages these sites, they kept the site open on August 15, bringing a fair number of tourists to Avella, a small pearl of the Avellino area that I got to know thanks to this initiative.

Max Zinno (3 years ago)
The Avella amphitheater is a little gem. Too bad that the room that should be used as a ticket office is used for private parties. The castle, unique of its kind, the amphitheater and the cave of San Michele could truly represent a great wealth for the community, for the flows that a sound administration could activate. 5 stars to the site. 1 to the administration.

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