One of the largest amphitheatres in Italy and Verona’s most famous monument. Built around the middle of the 1st century AD, it hosted various types of entertainment, including gladiatorial combats and hunts featuring wild and exotic animals.
Originally built outside the city walls, it now stands at the physical and symbolic heart of Verona.
From the Middle Ages onwards, the external “arcovoli” (spaces beneath the arches) were rented out by the Municipality: until the 16th century they were used by prostitutes, and later housed artisans’ workshops. Over the centuries, the interior was used for various purposes, including the administration of justice, festivities, performances and races. In 1913, Verdi’s Aida was performed here for the first time, and since then the monument has become the setting for summer opera seasons.
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Opening days
Tuesday to Sunday
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Opening times
From 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (last admission at 6:30 pm)
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Closing
Monday.
Closures: 25 December and 1 January. -
Extra Opening times
Monday, 7 December 2026
- Web Verona Arena
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Feature List
- Info line
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Accessibility
Ground floor only accessible to visitors with disabilities. Not accessible for strollers. Dogs allowed in pet carriers.
The exterior
Only a short section of the Arena’s outer ring, which originally formed its façade, survives today: the so-called Ala (“Wing”). During the reign of Theodoric (AD 493–526), the outer ring was partially demolished to build the city’s second circuit of defensive walls and, until the Renaissance, the Arena was used as a stone quarry. The façade, built from rusticated limestone blocks from Valpolicella, features a single architectural order, the Tuscan order.
The interior
It consists of two main sections: the arena at the centre, where performances took place, and the surrounding stepped seating area, or cavea, for spectators. In ancient times, the arena was separated from the seating by a podium, above which nets may have been installed to ensure the spectators’ safety. The cavea, whose stepped seating has now been reconstructed, was divided into horizontal sections by walkways and originally featured a roofed portico at the top.
Where
Piazza Bra 1 - 37129 Verona
Visiting Rules
The Municipality of Verona has adopted a pet policy allowing visitors to the Civic Museums to visit the exhibition rooms with their dogs. The initiative has received the patronage of the Order of Veterinary Surgeons of the Province of Verona. Find out more here
