Barcelona Roman amphitheatre and circus facts for kids
Imagine a huge stadium from ancient times, right in the middle of modern Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain! That's the idea behind the Barcelona Roman amphitheatre. It's a giant Roman stadium that has completely disappeared. We can't see it today. People also think there might have been a Roman circus (a place for chariot races) in another part of the city.
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What Was a Roman Amphitheatre?
A Roman amphitheatre was a large, open-air building. It had an oval or circular shape. These amazing structures were built by the Romans. They were used for public events. These events included gladiator fights and animal hunts. Think of it like a very old sports arena!
Where Could It Be?
For a long time, people have wondered if Barcelona had a Roman amphitheatre. A Spanish archaeologist named Jordina Sales has a leading idea. She thinks that some oval shapes in the city's layout might show where it once stood. These shapes are found around the Santa Maria del Mar church. This area is in the Ribera district.
Clues in the Streets
Sales believes that Argenteria street could be a clue. It might be a leftover part of a Roman road. This road would have connected a main gate in the Roman wall to the amphitheatre's doors. The main gate was near what is now Angel square.
Why Is It a Mystery?
Even with these ideas, we haven't found strong proof yet. Archaeologists haven't dug up clear remains of the amphitheatre. There are also no old documents that clearly describe it. So, for now, it remains a fascinating hypothesis. A hypothesis is an idea that needs more evidence to be proven true.
Other Hidden Roman Arenas
It's not unusual for Roman amphitheatres to be hidden. Many have been found under modern cities. For example, a large Roman amphitheatre was discovered under London's Guildhall Art Gallery. This shows that ancient structures can be right under our feet!
See also
In Spanish: Anfiteatro romano de Barcelona para niños
- Roman walls of Barcelona
