Looking for a taste of adventure and a historic trek back in time to the glory days of the Roman Empire? Head for Nîmes in southwest France, which is renowned for its Roma architecture. One structure that looks marvelous even without activity is the Nimes Amphitheatre in France. This structure was built in the first or second century A.D. When visiting the place, travelers can ponder events of the past and almost hear the sounds of gladiator combat or echoes of fighting bulls and ecstatic spectators in the audience.
Originally the amphitheater at Nîmes was used for purposes not at all related to entertainment. It had once been a fortress. It also became a walled village for thousands of destitute people, complete with houses and a chapel constructed at the center. During the 19th century, the Roman amphitheatre at Nimes was restored. The historic landmark today is used primarily for exciting bullfights. It has numerous internal stairways for up to 20,000 spectators can leave the stadium in about five minutes. The structure follows an enclosed elliptical design. The spectator area surrounding the arena has 60 radiating segments, each corresponding to two superimposed arches visible from the outside. Terraced rows are separated by a circulation corridor. The Nimes Amphitheare is a sight to behold inside and outside. When illuminated at night, the building façade looks mesmerizing. The amphitheatre is actually one of the best preserved architectural masterpieces in the whole of France.
Today, the Nimes Amphitheatre still reverberates with pulsating action. Among the events held in the awesome landmark made of marble and limestone are concerts & aquatic spectacles & special performances, circuses, bull fights, and international festivals. During winter, the place is covered with a fabric dome roof and heated.
Visit Nimes for a rare glimpse of an architectural feat like the amphitheatre and many other nearby attractions that add color & life to a city that’s continually undergoing modernization while retaining historical sites.