The Arena di Verona is undoubtedly the most famous monument in the city, and the third-largest amphitheater in Italy right after the Colosseum in Rome and the Capua Amphitheater near Naples. Its construction is still shrouded in mystery, as there is no certain information about it, but it is thought to date back to the first decades of the first century, during the emperor Augustus’ reign. This amphitheater was not located in the center of the city in the past. In the beginning, it stood just outside the walls of the ancient city, to facilitate the influx of spectators and avoid crowding in the city center. It was later incorporated within the Verona walls built by Gallieno, to defend the city from the attacks of the Barbarians.

This ancient building is well preserved, although in 1183 a strong earthquake destroyed the third layer of arches that surrounded it. Only one wing of this layer remains today, allows you to picture its original grandeur.

Like the Colosseum, the Arena was used for entertainment, including gladiator fights. These fights took place in the center of the amphitheater, in the area called harena (hence the name Arena) due to the presence of sand, which was used to absorb the bloodshed of men and animals. These bloody shows were highly appreciated by the ancient Romans, so much that Pliny the Younger cites them in his verses.

Over the centuries the Arena has been used for many different reasons: King Theodoric used it as a stone quarry for the construction of surrounding houses. Later, until the sixteenth century, it is said that prostitutes were relegated here. It was then used for craft shops.

The internal space was used for various reasons, such as the administration of justice, bonfires, shows, parties, and races. On the occasion of the wedding of Antonio della Scala, the Arena was a place of celebration with rides and shows, for almost one month.

Starting from the fifteenth century it began to acquire a certain historical and artistic interest, and over the years it underwent various restorations which, at intervals, went well beyond the eighteenth century. In 1713 Merope, the work of Scipione Maffei, was recited here. In 1751 it is said that a rhino was seen there. In 1786 Goethe visited and admired the amphitheater. In the Napoleonic era, the Arena was restored and even used for a bullfight. At that time, Iberian bullfighting got pupular in Italy, so much so that in Verona there was a parade of bullfighters and fanfares to promote the show. In 1890 and 1906, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show took place, a show in which horse riders performed stunts on running horses.

It was not until 1822 that it was used as a large open-air theater. The first to be represented was La Santa Alleanza, with music by Gioacchino Rossini.

In 1913, the first opera was performed, namely Giuseppe Verdi ‘s Aida. Since then, this amphitheater has become the largest opera house in the world, and the most famous works come to life on its stage every summer.

Not many are aware of it, but there is a medieval legend regarding the construction of the Arena di Verona. It is said that a Veronese prisoner sentenced to death, to save himself he promised the rulers of the city that he would create a building capable of containing all the citizens. He had to ask the devil for help, in exchange for his soul. He called to help all the devils in Hell to work on it.

During the night, however, the man repented for what he had done and prayed to Our Lady for grace. The Lady made the sun to rise two hours earlier, to prevent demons from doing the job on time. The demons, hearing the sound of the bells of the morning Angelus, plunged into darkness, and the soul of the prisoner was saved. Legend says that this was the reason why the external wing of the amphitheater remained unfinished.

Despite this, the construction of this beautiful building was enough to guarantee the prisoner his freedom.