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Chester Roman Amphitheatre

It is the largest Roman amphitheatre discovered so far in Britain. The Romans built it in the late AD 70s, when the fortress of Deva Victrix was founded, in the south-east corner of the military enclosure. It was used for entertainment and for training the troops. It fell out of use around the year 350. It measured about 98 metres long by 87 wide and could hold around 8,000 people. There were two stone amphitheatres on the same spot: the first had stairs in the back wall to reach the upper seating and a small shrine near the north entrance; the second had vaulted stairs. Its existence had long been suspected, but the first physical evidence came in 1929, when a curved wall turned up during gardening works. It was excavated between 2000 and 2006. Today only part of it can be seen; the rest still lies under buildings. It is next to the Roman Gardens, and English Heritage manages it.

Things to do at Chester Roman Amphitheatre: 2 missions

• Stroll through the adjoining Roman GardensContinue to the Roman Gardens, which lie next to the amphitheatre, and view the site from there.
• Look down onto the amphitheatre's arenaFrom the paving around the site, look at the excavated area and the remains of the seating walls. Work out where the 8,000 people would have sat.

Near Chester Roman Amphitheatre

Source: Web oficial - English Heritage