Tarragona Amphitheatre facts for kids
View of the amphitheatre
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| Location | Tarragona, Spain |
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| Coordinates | 41°6′53″N 1°15′33.50″E / 41.11472°N 1.2593056°E |
| Type | Roman amphitheatre |
| Official name: Amphitheatre, basilica, and Romanesque church | |
| Type: | Cultural |
| Criteria: | ii, iii |
| Designated: | 2000 (24th session) |
| Part of: | Archaeological Ensemble of Tárraco |
| Reference #: | 875-007 |
| Region: | Europe and North America |
| Area: | 1 ha (0.0039 sq mi) |
| Buffer zone: | 8 ha (0.031 sq mi) |
| Official name: Anfiteatro | |
| Type: | Non-movable |
| Criteria: | Monument |
| Designated: | 5 August 1924 |
| Reference #: | RI-51-0000298 |
The Tarragona Amphitheatre is an ancient Roman amphitheatre located in the city of Tarragona, in north-east Spain. It was built a long time ago, in the 2nd century AD. This amazing building was close to the main public square, called the forum, of the Roman city of Tarraco.
The amphitheatre was very large. It could hold up to 15,000 people. It measured about 130 meters (426 feet) long and 102 meters (335 feet) wide.
History of the Amphitheatre
The Tarragona Amphitheatre was built between the late 1st century AD and the early 2nd century AD. It was placed near the city walls and faced the sea. You can still see parts of a large stone sign from the time of Emperor Elagabalus in the 3rd century AD. This sign was on the podium, which was like a raised platform.
Changes Over Time
In the year 259 AD, something sad happened here. The city's bishop, Fructuosus, and his helpers, Augurius and Eulogius, were burned alive. This was during a time when Christians were being treated badly by Emperor Valerian.
Later, when Christianity became the main religion of the Roman Empire, the amphitheatre was no longer used for shows. Instead, some of its stones were used to build a church. This church was built to remember the three martyrs. People also dug tombs in the arena, which was the central part of the amphitheatre. They added burial places next to the church.
Abandonment and Recovery
When the Islamic invasion of Spain began, the area around the amphitheatre was left empty for a long time. This lasted until the 12th century. At that time, a new church was built over the old one. This church was in the Romanesque style, which was popular then. However, it was taken down in 1915.
In 1576, the amphitheatre became a place for a religious group called the Trinity. They used it as a convent until 1780. After that, it was turned into a prison for people who were working on building the port. Once the prison closed, the amphitheatre was left alone again. It stayed that way until the mid-20th century. Then, work began to fix up the theatre and bring it back to life. This work was paid for by the Bryant Foundation.
See also
- List of Roman amphitheatres
In Spanish: Anfiteatro de Tarraco para niños
