THE GALLO-ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE
Go there and contact
This remarkable Gallo-Roman amphitheater is one of the remains of the city of Gennes, and can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators.
Gennes was an important Gallo-Roman city, thanks to its privileged position on the Loire and trade routes. A number of more or less well-preserved remains from this period remain, the most remarkable of which is the Mazerolles amphitheater. Considered to be the largest Gallo-Roman amphitheater in western France, it could accommodate up to 5,000 spectators. The amphitheater's construction was original: the cellars of the arena were dug into the hillside, and only the podium and surrounding wall were built. During the Empire, the theater was used to stage circus games, in which gladiators and animals competed, as well as naumachia (water fights), thanks to machinery that flooded the arena. One of its main features is its perfectly preserved terracotta drainage pavement. This amphitheater and other remains discovered - thermal baths, temples, aqueduct, housing - were part of a vast Gallo-Roman complex built in the late 1st century AD and used until the early 3rd century. Last but not least, an archaeological survey recently uncovered a settlement area that complements the observations already made. For the time being, researchers hypothesize that Gennes may have been a large rural sanctuary and a place of conciliation before the conquest of Gaul. During the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), guided tours of the ruins are an effective way of getting people to talk about their history!
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on THE GALLO-ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Find unique holiday offers with our partners
