Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Budapest (Aquincum): The Civilian Amphitheatre

 
There are two Roman amphitheatres in Budapest, a civilian and a military. The civilian amphitheatre is located north of the civilian town. The outside dimensions are 86.5 x 75.5 m. The auditorium (in Latin: cavea) could hold 3-4,000 spectators.

To get to this location take the suburban train (HEV), which runs along the River Danube (on the western side of the river). Go north and get out at the station named after the ancient town: Aquincum. From the station you can walk to the amphitheatre in a few minutes.

The Roman site is open to the public all day and every day. There is free access. You do not have to pay a ticket to visit this site, which is only partially preserved. Some walls have been partially reconstructed in order to prevent erosion.


The train station next to the Roman ampihtheatre is named after the ancient town: Aquincum.
 

The wall of the amphitheatre seen from the outside.
 


A look from the outside. Inside you can see the arena.
 


The exterior wall of the amphitheatre.
 


A look from the outside. Inside you can see the arena.
 


In this picture you can see one of the two main gates leading into the arena.
 


A look from the outside. Inside you can see the arena.
 


The exterior wall of the amphitheatre.
In the background you can see one of the two main gates.
 


In this picture you can see most of the arena.
 


A look at the arena.
 

 
 A look at the arena.
 


In this picture you can see one of the two main gates leading into the arena.
 


This picture (taken inside the arena) shows one of the two main gates
and a section of the auditorium.



This picture (taken inside the arena) shows a section of the auditorium.
 


One of the two main gates leading into the arena.

Below: the civilian amphitheatre seen from the air.
This picture is borrowed from Roman Monuments on the Middle Danube,
Foundation for Cultural Heritage Preservation: Bratislava (2011)
pp. 192-193.



 
For more information about Aquincum see my blogs:
 

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