History - Ai Voice ARENA

The Arena of Verona is a Roman amphitheater whose construction began in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Emperor Augustus, and was completed under Emperor Claudius. Originally, the amphitheater was built to host public spectacles such as gladiatorial combats and circus games, which were central to the social life and entertainment of ancient Rome.

For its construction, builders used pink-hued limestone quarried from the nearby Valpolicella area. Massive blocks of this stone, bound with a specially formulated mortar, were assembled to create the amphitheater’s imposing and harmonious structure.

Over the centuries, the Arena’s history has been marked by a number of natural disasters. One of the most significant was the earthquake of 1117 AD, which caused severe damage, including the collapse of the outer ring, of which only a small portion remains today. Despite these calamities, the inner structure of the Arena survived almost intact, preserving its majestic proportions.

After the era of gladiatorial spectacles ended, the amphitheater continued to serve various functions throughout the Middle Ages, including fairs, bullfights, and even public trials. During the Renaissance and Modern Age, renewed appreciation for classical heritage led to restoration efforts, transforming the Arena into a venue for theatrical performances and concerts.

In the 19th century, with the rise of Italian opera, the Arena gained worldwide fame as a stage for open-air operatic performances. Since then, it has become one of the most prestigious venues in the world, home to the Verona Opera Festival, which attracts thousands of spectators every summer.

The Arena can accommodate up to 22,000 spectators, though for safety reasons the capacity has been reduced to about 15,000 seats today.

Let me leave you with an interesting fact: the Arena is renowned for its extraordinary acoustics. Thanks to its elliptical shape, sound travels perfectly throughout the amphitheater — even without amplification, the voice of an opera singer can be heard clearly from the highest rows of the stands.