The Roman amphitheater built in Verona during the 1st century CE was the Verona Arena.
The structure stands in Piazza Bra and is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters. Construction probably began during the reign of Emperor Augustus or shortly afterward, while later work continued under the Flavian emperors. Its elliptical design allowed large crowds to watch gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, and public spectacles.
The Verona Arena is often confused with Rome’s Colosseum because both hosted Roman entertainments and have monumental stone seating. The Verona building is smaller, but its surviving outer walls and underground passages show the same broad architectural principles. Unlike many ancient amphitheaters, it remains an active performance venue.
Modern audiences know it especially for large-scale opera productions, which began there in 1913. The arena’s location inside a living Italian city also helps explain why much of its ancient fabric survived while other Roman venues disappeared.