Cagliari’s most impressive Roman monument is this amphitheatre. Dating back to the 2nd century AD, it is carved out of rock on the Buon Cammino hill, near the northern entrance to Il Castello. Although much of the original theatre has been cannibalised for building material, enough has survived to pique the imagination. You can explore it on a guided visit.
In its heyday, crowds of up to 10,000 people – practically the entire population of Cagliari – would gather to watch gladiators battle each other and the occasional wild animal. In summer, the amphitheatre occasionally hosts concerts.
