Amphitheatre of the Pompeii Ruins 2027

Amphitheatre of the Pompeii Ruins

Built around 70 BC, the amphitheatre of Pompeii is the oldest surviving stone amphitheatre of the Roman world, predating Rome's Colosseum by more than a century. In antiquity it held roughly 20,000 spectators for gladiatorial games and public spectacles, and its elliptical bowl was preserved almost intact under the ash of Vesuvius. Today it stands at the eastern edge of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, one of the most remarkable settings anywhere for live performance.

In recent summers the amphitheatre has returned to its original vocation as a venue, hosting concert seasons that bring international and Italian artists to play inside the two-thousand-year-old arena.

Getting there

The simplest route is the Circumvesuviana railway between Naples and Sorrento: trains run frequently and reach Pompeii in about 30 minutes from Naples. The Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri station sits opposite the Porta Marina entrance to the ruins; follow event signage through the site or to the entrance nearest the amphitheatre.

Pompeii Amphitheatre FAQs

How old is the amphitheatre? It dates to around 70 BC, making it the oldest stone Roman amphitheatre still standing.

Do concerts really take place inside the ruins? Yes — summer concert seasons are staged inside the ancient arena itself, under the open sky.