Anfiteatro romano di Teramo

Teramo's Roman amphitheatre still rises above the modern streets near the cathedral. Built in the second half of the second century AD, it preserves brick walls nearly twelve metres high, traces of the vaulted seating and a three-arched entrance.

Why it matters

The amphitheatre was among the major public buildings of Roman Interamnia Praetuttiorum. Its survival also records the later reuse of the site: medieval builders took stone from the structure, and reliefs with gladiatorial imagery were incorporated into the nearby cathedral.

What to notice

The outer wall, faced in brick, reaches about twelve metres. The building measured roughly 74 by 56 metres, and the arena lay about six metres below the surrounding ground. A three-arched entrance survives near Via Irelli and Via Ciotti; another entrance lies toward Via San Berardo. Double stair ramps once carried spectators toward the upper seating.

Context and history

The remains were long mistaken for the adjacent Roman theatre. The amphitheatre was identified in 1926 and partly explored in 1937, after attached structures were demolished. From the late twelfth century, material was taken for the new cathedral. The arena and lower seating were later levelled during construction of the diocesan seminary.