A few minutes walk from our apartment are the Roman amphitheater and the Roman theatre. The amphitheatre dates from 90 BC and could seat 20,000 spectators who came to see battles and chariot races. The theatre was built in the first century and could seat 8,000 spectators. The theatre is in worse condition because during the middle ages it was a source of stone for building the city wall.
Note the seats originally went to the top and also the clever sun block held by ropes.
Note the seats originally went to the top and also the clever sun block held by ropes.
Note the seats originally went to the top and also the clever sun block held by ropes.
There are easels throughout Arles that mark locations that inspired van Gogh.
There are easels throughout Arles that mark locations that inspired van Gogh.
There are easels throughout Arles that mark locations that inspired van Gogh.
The amphitheatre has a long storied history. Originally it had seats up to the top of the outer wall. Later some stones were removed to use elsewhere in Arles. And then the amphitheatre was turned into a walled city containing 200 (!) tiny homes. It is currently used as an amphitheatre but most of the seating is metal, and rather ugly.
The amphitheatre has a long storied history. Originally it had seats up to the top of the outer wall. Later some stones were removed to use elsewhere in Arles. And then the amphitheatre was turned into a walled city containing 200 (!) tiny homes. It is currently used as an amphitheatre but most of the seating is metal, and rather ugly.
The amphitheatre has a long storied history. Originally it had seats up to the top of the outer wall. Later some stones were removed to use elsewhere in Arles. And then the amphitheatre was turned into a walled city containing 200 (!) tiny homes. It is currently used as an amphitheatre but most of the seating is metal, and rather ugly.
The Roman theatre is not nearly as interesting to my eyes as the amphitheatre. But like the amphitheatre it is still in use.
The Roman theatre is not nearly as interesting to my eyes as the amphitheatre. But like the amphitheatre it is still in use.
The Roman theatre is not nearly as interesting to my eyes as the amphitheatre. But like the amphitheatre it is still in use.
