By ELIAS KAYSER
Cologne - The Arena of Verona, an impressive relic from Roman times, is still the centrepiece of the city today. Once built as a venue for gladiator fights and animal duels, over the millennia it has developed into one of the most famous opera venues in the world.
The architecture of the Romans
The arena was built around the year 30 AD outside the Roman city walls of the time. Originally, the amphitheatre was 152 metres long and 113 metres wide. Today, 138 metres long and 109 metres wide still remain. This makes the arena one of the largest surviving Roman buildings. In the past, the arena offered space for more than 30,000 spectators to watch the popular gladiator fights and other public competitions. Today, around 20,000 people can still fit into the arena.
Originally, the exterior of the arena was clad in white and pink limestone from the Valpolicella region, which gave it an almost sparkling lustre. This outer ring of stone is only partially preserved today - over the centuries, the arena has often served as a quarry for other construction projects.
Destruction and utilisation as a quarry
The history of the arena is not only characterised by bloody entertainment, but also by destruction. In 265, Emperor Gallienus had the city walls extended around the arena so that it was integrated into the city fortifications. For a long time, it was believed that the outer ring of the arena was largely destroyed in an earthquake in 1117.
However, recent archaeological finds have shown that the Ostrogoth king Theodoric had the outer ring partially demolished after his conquest of Verona in 489. The stones were used to build the new city walls - possibly also for military reasons, as the arena towered over the city walls. Today, only a small part of the outer ring remains, the so-called "l'ala", the wing which gives a hint of its original grandeur and splendour.
From the quarry to the opera stage
There were efforts to use the arena as a theatre again as early as the Renaissance, but it was not until the 20th century that this was consistently implemented. The turning point came in 1913, when the arena was used as a world-class opera stage for the first time. To mark the 100th birthday of Giuseppe Verdi, his opera Aida was performed in the arena on 10 August 1913. This historic performance marked the beginning of a new era for the ancient building.
Since then, the Arena di Verona has been one of the most renowned opera venues in the world. Every year during the summer months of June, July and August, it is transformed into a stage for high-calibre opera performances. Works by Verdi, Puccini and other masters of opera literature are performed here in the open air in a unique atmosphere. The special acoustics and historical ambience make the performances in the arena a unique experience.
Modern concerts and rock stars
Not only opera lovers get their money's worth in the arena. In recent decades, the arena has also established itself as a venue for major rock and pop concerts. Greats such as Gianna Nannini, Adriano Celentano, Zucchero, Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel and Bruce Springsteen have given concerts here on the ancient stage. The symbiosis of history and modernity makes it one of the most exciting cultural centres in Europe.
The arena as a stage for the 2026 Olympic Games
Another chapter in the impressive history of the Verona Arena will be written in 2026. On the occasion of the XXV Olympic Winter Games, which will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the closing ceremony will take place in the Verona Arena on 22 February 2026. Although the city itself will not be the venue for the sports competitions, the arena will once again become the centre of international attention and a global stage.
Verona's arena is a monument that breathes history and at the same time provides the stage for the great moments of the present and future.
