Amphitheatre of Italica

The Anfiteatro de Itálica in Santiponce is an impressive Roman amphitheatre built between 117 and 138 AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. It is one of the largest amphitheatres in the Roman Empire, with a capacity of around 25,000 spectators. The amphitheatre has an elliptical shape and consists of three levels of stands, of which the first level is still intact. The amphitheatre was used for gladiatorial fights and fights between animals and humans, and had an underground service pit for these events. It is now a tourist attraction and an important archaeological heritage.

A coliseum in the first Roman city in Hispania, Italica. Attributed to Trajan, it is estimated that this amphitheater housed some 25,000 people and served for the typical Roman blood shows in Italica. Santiponce currently has numerous Roman remains from the original enclave of Italica that attest to its importance in the empire.

Definitely worth a visit - so allow for a break of around 1/2 hour