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Venosa - The Amphitheatre

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Archaeological Park
Tel./Fax 0972 36095
Open: from 9:00 until one hour before sunset
Closed: on Tuesday mornings, on 25/12, 01/01 and 01/05
Free Admission

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This important building dates back to the I century A.D. The amphitheatre is a proof is the importance and splendour of this town. It was in fact the place where fights, venations and executions were held.

The typical elliptic shape and the disposition of the tiers allow the whole audience to comfortably watch the show.

Following to a rigid regulation, the places were assigned according to the social rank.

The media ‘cavea’, for example, was reserved to the leisured classes.

The events took place in the ‘arena’, so called because covered with a thin layer of ‘rena’ (sand) that prevented gladiators from slipping. According to the kind of event, the scene could change. Sometimes the arena was decorated rich scenographies that made the show even more capturing.